Khanom Learning Center within EGCO Group received the “ASA Conservation Award 2024 - Category A: Conservation of Architectural Heritage and Community at Distinction level” granted by the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage (ASA). The award recognizes EGCO Group’s success in turning its floating power plant into a learning center about the history of power generation in southern Thailand as well as its ability to creatively design and develop the site to become a place for the general public, especially young people and communities, to learn about energy, electricity generation process, and harmonious living among power plants, communities, and the environment.

Dr. Jiraporn Sirikum, President of Electricity Generating Public Company Limited or EGCO Group, said, “One of EGCO Group’s tasks as a specialist in power business is to use its power plants as learning centers to disseminate correct knowledge of the electricity generation processes to the public. In this case, the company has turned Khanom power plant unit 1, which completely stopped commercial operation, into a Khanom Learning Center and has opened it to the public since 2019. This project is a cooperation between EGCO Group and its subsidiary ESCO, the specialized in power business, engineering, construction, operation and maintenance of power plants, as well as CMO Public Company Limited which is a specialist in design and content development of exhibition and museum. The learning center is very unique with its outstanding creativity and value as a historical site because it was the first and only floating power plant in Thailand and has exceptional industrial design. It was quite a big challenge for us to design and develop it. All the partners have used multimedia and new presentation techniques to maintain the value of this site while telling interesting stories and knowledge about electricity in an enjoyable manner.”

Giving the reasons for granting this gracious award to Khanom Learning Center, the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage explained, “Khanom Learning Center is a rare sample of outstanding architecture related to power generation industry in Thailand. It has high value in terms of history and academics. Its authentic shape, and architectural and engineering elements have given this site very high potential to become a significant learning center. The idea of preserving the power plant by turning it into a learning center clearly reflects EGCO’s passion, commitment, and recognition of the value of this building. The company has demonstrated a comprehensive design process and chosen appropriate preservation techniques. The exhibition inside the building successfully preserved the original settings that tell interesting stories. The interior space was creatively managed, and the project management plan was clear. In summary, this is a preservation project that has positive impact on surrounding communities and is a great learning center for young people and the general public.”

The learning center includes seven permanent exhibitions, covering the history of electricity, power generation process, environmental protection, and the harmony living between power plants and communities. The exhibition encourages participatory learning through interesting and advanced presentation styles. The virtual exhibition viewing system was developed to increase access to the learning center. Moreover, the center has annually hosted Science Week event to inspire young people in Nakhon Si Thammarat and nearby provinces of science and technology learning.

Khanom Learning Center, Khanom District, Nakhon Si Thammarat, is open from Tuesday-Saturday from 09.00-16.00 hrs. (close on Sunday, Monday, and public holiday). Interested persons can register to visit the center at https://www.egco.com/th/khanom-learningcenter or call 075 466 062, or 098 014 2249. For more information and updated activities, please visit the  learning center’s Facebook fan page: Khanom Learning Center.