Thailand wins 13 ASEAN Energy Awards 2013

BANGKOK, September 26 (TNA) - Thailand receives 13 ASEAN Energy Awards, with the presentation ceremony taking place during the 31st ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) held in Bali, Indonesia, from September 25-26, 2013. Thailand has won the lion’s share of 37 ASEAN Energy Awards this year, comprising five renewable energy awards and eight energy saving awards. The wastewater treatment project of Chantaburi Province in the Thai East has won the first renewable energy prize, while the first runner-up award in this category has gone to the hydropower plant of the state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) in Baan Khlong Rua community of Chumphon Province in the Thai South. At the two-day forum, energy ministers of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meet their counterparts from dialogue partner countries to discuss regional energy cooperation, the development of renewable energy, effective energy saving and supportive measures. ASEAN member countries and their dialogue partners have agreed on a five-year plan for their energy cooperation, covering human resource development and guidelines. As energy prices are increasing, ASEAN member states are looking for energy security and a variety of energy sources, hoping that their cooperation will bring about long-term mutual benefits. Thailand has implemented its 20-year-long energy saving plan since 2011 and the plan is aimed at reducing its energy consumption by 25 per cent during the implementation period. The regional meeting has also addressed the safety aspect of the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan. Thailand's representatives at this week's regional meeting include those from energy agencies concerned, including the Ministry of Energy, EGAT and PTT Public Company Limited (PTT). (TNA)