Bangkok--22 Dec--Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
The Ministry of Energy’s plan to make Thailand the renewable energy hub made good progress as more electricity generated from private wind farms and solar cells will be added to the national electricity distribution system in 2011-2012 as planned.
Mr. Krairit Nilkuha, Director General of the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE), said that the Ministry of Energy has been committed to promoting electricity generation from all renewal energy sources, including, wind power, solar power and biomass which are the sources of “clean” and “green” natural energy with high potential. Using these renewable energy sources is also a way to optimize the use of natural resources.
In 2011, the Department expected electricity generated from wind farm would reached its target and be able to contribute 115 megawatts of energy into the national distribution system. In 2012, it is expected that 90 megawatts of electricity will be added to the system. At present, private companies have increasingly expressed interest in investing in producing electricity from wind power.
Against the target of adding 190 megawatts of solar power generation to the national distribution system, the Ministry is strongly confident of achieving the target due to overwhelming interest from private sector.
Mr, Krairit, however, admitted that electricity generating from biomass may miss the 2011 target of contributing 2,000 megawatts to the national distribution system. It is, however, expected that only 1,000 megawatts will be added to the national system because of the shortage of such raw materials as rice husks and sugarcane bagasse. DEDE is currently seeking alternative raw materials, like hay, to support electricity generating from biomass.
“We do not anticipate the shortage of electricity generated from alternative energy sources, despite some shortage of biomass. Looking at the bigger picture, we continue to be confident that the overall target will be met because of greater electricity supply from other alternative energy sources. With this picture, we are confident of making Thailand the hub for renewable energy power,” said Mr. Krairit.
He added that the Department is confident of achieving the target set in the 15-year plan (2008-2021), under which the government hopes to increase electricity generation from renewable energy sources by 20 per cent of the entire country’s energy consumption. This will help reduce the government’s investment of more than Bt100 billion in building fossil fuel electricity plants that can generate more than 3,800 megawatts. By making Thailand the export hub of biomass energy and alternative energy technology, such as advanced solar cells, the country will be able to generate huge income from export.
Issued on behalf of : Ministry of Energy
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