The major electricity agency holds Thailand's government to blame for its problems. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) said yesterday that its surplus generating capacity, which has sharply increased costs, stemmed from state planning. PriceWaterhouse Coopers, a consultancy, said in a report this week power charges could be 7% lower if consumers did not have to pay for unused generating capacity in the system. However, Angoon Kamolyabutr, Egat deputy governor for finance, said the authority was obliged under the current national plan to ensure sufficient generating capacity to meet expected annual growth of 1,622 megawatts in demand between 1997 and 2001.