Energy Ministry to take data centre operator to police over fuel storage

The Energy Ministry’s Department of Energy Business will file a complaint with police today against the operator of a data centre in Bangkok after finding that it had been storing more than 200,000 litres of diesel for emergency generators without a licence.

Thitiphat Chotidechachainan, secretary to the energy minister, said the offence carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison, a fine of up to 200,000 baht, or both if the operator is found guilty.

Thitiphat said she inspected the data centre on Rama 9 Road, next to Rama 9 Hospital, following complaints from residents and nearby shop owners about a strong fuel-like smell that had persisted for more than two months.

The smell was particularly strong during periods of heavy rain, with some people experiencing dizziness and vomiting, she said.

Residents and businesses have also expressed concern about safety because the data centre is located in a populated area.

The inspection found that the project had been storing more than 200,000 litres of diesel as backup fuel for emergency power generators, but the operator had not obtained the required licence.

Officials therefore ordered the operator to remove all the diesel from the site.

A follow-up inspection found that the operator had since pumped all the fuel out of the storage tanks.

Thitiphat said the Energy Ministry and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) have a clear policy of not allowing fuel storage facilities serving data centre generators to be located in residential areas, with public safety the priority.

At the first meeting of the Data Centre Committee tomorrow, the Energy Ministry will propose that the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council work with the BMA and electricity and water authorities to speed up the development of zoning criteria for data centres.

The ministry will also propose a review of building, environmental and safety regulations to ensure that data centre development is appropriate for each location and does not affect nearby communities.

Thitiphat said the Energy Ministry will conduct inspections in areas where complaints have been received or where there are suspicions of unauthorised fuel storage.

She urged members of the public with information about possible unauthorised fuel storage to report it to the BMA or the Energy Ministry so that authorities can investigate.