Energy Ministry to sue Rama 9 Data Center over illegal fuel storage

Thansettakij•Economy•19d ago

Reader Briefing

The Department of Energy Business will take legal action against a Rama 9 Data Center for storing 200,000 liters of diesel without a permit.

•A Data Center on Rama 9 Road stored over 200,000 liters of diesel without legal permits.
•The Department of Energy Business will file a complaint on September 3 to prosecute the operator under the Fuel Control Act 1999.
•The Ministry of Energy and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will prohibit fuel storage for emergency generators in urban community areas.
•A Data Center committee meeting on September 4 will propose zoning and safety guidelines for Data Center development.

Overview

•Residents and shop owners near a Data Center on Rama 9 Road reported fuel-like smells for over 2 months, causing some to experience dizziness and vomiting.
•The Department of Energy Business found the Data Center stored over 200,000 liters of diesel for emergency generators without a permit.
•The Department of Energy Business ordered the removal of all fuel, and the operator has since emptied the tanks.
•The Department of Energy Business will file a legal complaint on September 3 regarding violations of Section 65 of the Fuel Control Act 1999.
•Violations of the Fuel Control Act 1999 may result in imprisonment for up to 2 years, a fine of up to 200,000 baht, or both.
•Thitiphat Chotidechachainan stated that the Ministry of Energy and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will not allow fuel storage for Data Center emergency generators in urban communities.
•On September 4, the Ministry of Energy will propose that the National Economic and Social Development Council, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, electricity, and water authorities collaborate on zoning and safety criteria for Data Centers.

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Key Quotes

Thitiphat Chotidechachainan

"The Ministry of Energy prepares to conduct a widespread inspection of areas where complaints were received or where there is suspicion of clandestine fuel storage for Data Center generators in urban communities to proceed with legal inspections."

กระทรวงพลังงานเตรียม ปูพรมตรวจสอบพื้นที่ที่ได้รับร้องเรียน หรือสงสัยว่ามีการลักลอบจัดเก็บน้ำมันเพื่อใช้เดินเครื่องกำเนิดไฟฟ้าของ Data Center ในเขตชุมชนเมือง เพื่อดำเนินการตรวจสอบตามกฎหมายต่อไป

Key Entities

Person

Thitiphat Chotidechachainan(ฐิติภัสร์ โชติเดชาชัยนันต์)

Secretary to the Minister of Energy.

Organization

Ministry of Energy(กระทรวงพลังงาน)ℹ️

The government ministry overseeing energy policies and coordinating Data Center safety regulations.

Department of Energy Business(กรมธุรกิจพลังงาน)

The agency responsible for inspecting fuel storage and filing legal complaints against the Data Center.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration(กรุงเทพมหานคร)ℹ️

The urban authority collaborating with the Ministry of Energy on fuel storage prohibitions and zoning.

National Economic and Social Development Council(สำนักงานสภาพัฒนาการเศรษฐกิจและสังคมแห่งชาติ (สศช.))

The agency requested to help develop zoning and safety criteria for Data Centers.

Place

Rama 9 Road(ถนนพระราม 9)ℹ️

The location of the Data Center and the affected community.

Law

Fuel Control Act 1999(พระราชบัญญัติควบคุมน้ำมันเชื้อเพลิง พ.ศ. 2542)

The law under which the Data Center is being prosecuted for illegal fuel storage.