More Power to Zero-Carbon Thailand!
In response to the trends of using renewable energy, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and the Energy Authorities in Thailand are drafting an Integrated Energy Blueprint so as to set-up a zero-carbon emission goal.
Supposedly, the plan will be based on the Power Development Plan 2018 and Thailand’s Alternative Energy Development Plan, Gas Plan, Oil Plan and Energy Efficiency Plan, which were first introduced in the year 2018.
To this, the secretary for energy said that a deadline will be determined in order to attain the Thailand Integrated Energy Blueprint (TIEB) goal that shouldn’t be too different from goals set in EU and the US. The Western countries have already worked to achieve zero emissions. However, before determining a particular date, it is important to make a long-term plan while listing actions that must be made clearly.
As for TIEB it is to cover the effect on oil refineries and the internal combustion supply chain when the growth in EV businesses and renewable energy has been realized. Other key elements will also be brought into consideration by the officials. This will include power-generation capacity surplus in reserve with more than 40% of its total capacity, domestic natural gas depletion, electric and high-speed train system, and 5th generation of telecommunication.
Similarly, the authorities should equally be prepared for energy storage systems arrival for renewable resources. The price of this type of facility, a major element of the power trade among the businesses as well as householders, is competitive as that of the fossil fuel state grid, says the National Economic Social Development Board’s secretary-general.
In fact, the mentioned energy business model will move toward being an independent power production by householders and businesses in the future. The private sector is expected to play an important role in this industry. To sum up, energy will be primarily derived from the liquefied natural gas and renewable fuels whereas dependence on oil and coal will continue to lessen.
The Vice President of FTI (Institute of Industrial Energy), Mr Sompote Ahunai, said that FTI estimated that exchanging 20 million ICE vehicles with EVs will save almost 100 billion baht each year from spending on refined and crude oil imports.
Also, he said that the Thai government should use the money for setting up a fund i.e., valued at around 2 trillion baht. It is estimated that about 200 billion baht could be spent for developing EV and on lessening the negative effect on the oil-powered vehicle.
