Thailand relies heavily on fossil fuels and imported energy,
– More than 90% of energy comes from fossil-based sources
– 60% the total commercial energy consumption is imported.
– The energy imports costs approximately 900 Billion Baht each year.
Like so many other nations, Thailand’s dependence on fossil fuels and imported energy is a risky position, thankfully technology is changing that.
Retired solar panel manufacturing executive, Wandee Khunchornyakong is not only using solar power technology to help reduce Thailand’s dependence on imported energy; it’s also helping to sustain agriculture and economic growth in the rural regions. Wandee’s company, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems, (SPCG) is offering the energy sector “packages” of energy services to remote rural areas to help support health care, education, communication, agriculture, lighting and water supply.
Thailand has faced many hurdles over the years when implementing technology in rural areas but In a few short years, Wandee and SPCG have been able to attract upwards of $800 million of investment and have delivered 250MW of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) capacity in Thailand. This new generation capacity helped avoid over 200,000 tons of CO2 equivalent emissions annually – the equivalent of taking more than 40,000 cars off the road or eliminating the use of almost 500,000 barrels of oil each year.
Wandee’s work addresses social and environmental challenges that effect many developed and developing nations and her efforts were recently recognized by the UN when she received the prestigious Momentum for Change – Women for Results award.
The renewable energy challenge is a global race, and Thailand is starting to flex it’s muscles by demonstrating faster growth than more traditional solar markets like Germany, Spain and Italy, all effected by policy cuts. Government policy is helping to drive PV deployment, by providing a 10 year premium on top of wholesale electricity prices. This TBH 6.50/kWh (US$0.21/kWh) incentive (previously as high as 8.5 Baht) will only help Thailand to become a key player in the SEA solar market.
