Thailand eyes to increase use of alternative energy by 30%

BANGKOK, December 7 (TNA) - The Thai government has targeted to increase alternative energy consumption by 30 per cent of overall domestic energy use within the next 20 years. Energy Minister General Anantaporn Kanjanarat announced the official target at an event where Thailand Energy Awards 2016 were presented to 64 winning projects, held in Bangkok on December 6. General Anantaporn acknowledged the target on raising domestic use of alternative energy by 30 per cent within 2036 is under of the Thai government's long-term Thailand Integrated Energy Blueprint (TIEB) with three main objectives of achieving national energy security, economic prosperity and sustainable society. General Anantaporn noted that the annually-organized Thailand Energy Awards event is a major progressive step of the Kingdom's long-term energy policy with its clearer direction, along with promoting a variety of innovative inventions on energy conservation. The minister pointed out as key evidence Thailand's champion for 12 consecutive years, with 16 prizes so far, at the annually-organized ASEAN Energy Awards event, the latest of which this year was held in Naypyidaw, Myanmar's capital, showing the Kingdom's progress and potential as a leader in the ASEAN Community (AC) on energy conservation and alternative energy development for the sake of sustainable energy security in all dimensions. Besides, Thailand's progress and potential in energy conservation and alternative energy development is also in accordance with the statement issued at the 34th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting and ASEAN Energy Business Forum 2016, held in the Myanmar capital during September 19-23, aimed to drive the ASEAN Community towards a "Greener Community with Cleaner Energy". Meanwhile, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Air Chief Marshal Prachin Jantong said while presiding over the presentation of Thailand Energy Awards 2016 that the Thai government also promotes the private sector's participation in raising the domestic alternative energy consumption by 30 per cent to meet the national target by 2036. The 64 winning projects of Thailand Energy Awards, under which overall 2.2 billion baht of energy costs are saved and up to 280,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions are reduced to ease the global warming problem, were among a total of 260 projects joining in this year's competition. (TNA)