Technology transfer induced technological dependency in an electric power plant: Effects on efficiency, reliability and flexibility

Most electric power generation technologies in developing countries are acquired through technology transfer from suppliers in advanced developed countries. Despite providing large benefits, such technology transfer could potentially perpetuate and deepen technological dependency between a technology transferee, the buyer, and a technology transferor, the seller. The big challenge of a technology transfer exercise is to satisfy the need for foreign technology while taking measures to minimize current and future technological dependency. The main objective of this paper is to examine the technology transfer reinforced technological dependency in an electric power plant based on a technological dependency assessment (TDA) model developed for this purpose. The model consists of four manifest components of technological dependency: technology, utilization, knowledge, and acquisition dependencies. Each manifest component has a number of elements and each element is assessed based on a number of indicators. In addition the model incorporates one attitude dependency component with four elements embedded in the four respective manifest components: technology attitude, utilization attitude, knowledge attitude and acquisition attitude dependencies. The elements and their assessment indicators are identified through literature review and expert opinions, and are confirmed by practioners.

This paper presents an analysis of the most critical technological dependency, using the Bang Pakong Power Plant (BPPP) in Thailand as a case study. The results of assessment in the plant indicate that lack of flexibility for adaptation and lack of sufficient information are causes of the plant's poor performance. The paper suggests how BPPP could reduce the levels of technology transfer reinforced technology dependency to prevent unfavorable long-term effects in the effective and efficient operation of the power plant.