IEA works together with Thailand on alternative energy

BANGKOK, July 19 (TNA) - The Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) has agreed on working together and supporting Thailand, through the state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), on increasing the proportion of alternative energy consumption in the country to 30 per cent, from 14.5 per cent currently, by 2030. Visiting IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol and Thai Energy Minister Siri Jirapongphan jointly announced the agreed cooperation in Bangkok on July 18, acknowledging that the increased proportion of alternative energy in Thailand, once achieved, would not raise the power cost per unit in the country. Under the agreed cooperation, IEA will share information, jointly develop and study, as well as send energy experts to Thailand to support EGAT on working out the country's long-term energy development master plan within this year, in which a long run target on sustainable energy development and a planning on the management of oil reserves will be included. According to the energy minister, the solar energy will mainly contribute to the increased proportion of alternative energy consumption in Thailand, especially in households. Under the new move, the minister affirmed that people who install solar cells at their houses or buildings will not be imposed any fee from the Thai government. (TNA)