By Bernama
Bangkok : As global oil prices have now surged above US$100 a barrel, Thailand’s Energy Ministry plans to increase the proportion of alternative energy consumption in the country to 8 per cent from the 4. 7 per cent level projected earlier, Thailand News Agency (TNA) quote Energy Minister Poonpirom Liptapanlop as saying Saturday.
Poonpirom said her ministry will host a brainstorming session on April 21 in which a 15-year pilot plan on alternative energy consumption, starting from 2008 to 2022, will be discussed.
The plan, the first to be drafted in Thailand, is aimed at reducing energy consumption in Thailand, finding ways to lowering oil prices and urging the public to save energy consumption, she said.
The Energy Ministry has adjusted local consumption of alternative energy to 8 per cent from 4. 7 per cent projected for 2011 which could save Thailand’s foreign exchange by about Bt200 billion, said Poonpirom.
Production of alternative energy is expected to be increased to about 3,276 megawatts from the 1,621 megawatts available now.
In addition, the Energy Ministry will also encourage the private sector to produce parts for wind turbines in Thailand which would substitute imports while educational institutions are currently researching the promoting the use of wind energy, she added.