Thai energy conservation proving successful

BANGKOK, May 26 (TNA) - Thailand’s energy conservation efforts during the past five years have proved successful as demand for power compared to gross domestic product (GDP) growth has fallen considerably, said Amnuay Thongsathitya, Director General of Energy Ministry’s Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency Department. Previously, demand for power compared to GDP growth in Thailand stood at 1.4:1 compared to 0.80:1 and 0.95:1 in the U.S. and Japan respectively, Amnuay said. The Thai government’s energy conservation policy plus cooperation from the private sector in the past five years have helped the country’s demand for power compared to GDP growth to decline to a mere 0.8:1, almost at the same level with those two developed countries, he said. Because of the sharp decline, Thailand is able to save a large amount of foreign exchange from importing power yearly, he said. The Department of Energy Development and Efficiency is now cooperating with several agencies including the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand in persuading private business operators to join in energy conservation programme. So far about 70 firms have participated in the voluntary programme while the department hopes that the number will rise to a minimum of 200 at the end of 2013. (TNA)