Thailand plans to increase production of electricity from renewable sources to 25 percent of total output over the next 10 years to reduce imports and boost energy security, the Ministry of Energy said.

Under the new goal, approved by the National Energy Policy Committee, output from biomass will be 4,800 megawatts; biogas 3,600 megawatts; solar 3,000 megawatts; wind 1,800 megawatts and the balance will come from hydropower and waste.

According to the International Energy Agency, Thailand is already the regional leader in the green energy industry. Early this year, Southeast Asia’s biggest wind energy farm Hua Bong 2 & 3 was completed in Nakhon Ratchasima, capable of producing 207 megawatts of electric power, with very little press coverage. There are more such projects coming on line over the next three to five years.

The Thai government is also making tariffs and the overall tax structure favourable for wind and solar energy producers.

Thailand is the regional leader now and is moving forward toward its stated objective of relying on 20% or more green energy by 2020.

Picture: http://insights.wri.org/news/2013/04/lessons-thailand-mobilizing-investment-energy-efficiency

Read more: http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/359750/thailand-greener-than-you-think