Stoppage hits Glow's Q3

       The SET-listed power producer Glow Energy saw earnings slow in the third quarter due to a one-month maintenance closure of one of its plants.
       Two factors caused its normalised net profit to drop to 899 million baht in the third quarter, down by 274 million from the second quarter, the company said in its statement.
       Reduced power output due to a onemonth maintenance closure at its 150 MW coal-fired station affected te thirdquarter performance.
       The quarter's results also weakened as Glow had not booked the business interruption liability for a stoppage earlier this year at the 150 MW station.
       Output is expected to return to normal in the final quarter as there are no more major maintenance stoppages scheduled until late 2011. The company also plans to book the remaining business inter-ruption claim of more than 100 million baht in the fourth quarter.
       Glow reported sales of 26.6 billion baht over the first nine months, up 3.3%year-on-year from 25.7 billion. But its net profit fell by 5% from the same period last year to 3.04 billion baht.
       Chief executive Esa Heikanen said higher interest payments of 705.5 million baht, up from 605 million last year, from increasing project finance caused the weaker performance. Fuel costs also rose by 2.8% for natural gas and 1.8% for coal.
       However, Mr Heikanen said that performance declined at a slower pace than the rise in costs, thanks to revitalised sales to industrial customers.
       Shares of Glow closed yesterday on the Stock Exchange of Thailand at 33 baht, up 3 baht, in trade worth 41.53 million baht.