Thailand as biofuel regional hub
Thailand is ready to become the biofuel regional hub in Asean, thanks to advancement in biofuels in terms of output as well as the geographical location.
Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan said that Thailand's potential will be highlighted as Asean targets to raise the alternative energy consumption to 15 per cent of total consumption within 2015.
"Asean will embrace solar power, wind power, hydropower, geothermal power, biogas and biomass. Thailand's alternative energy policy would run in the same direction. I'm convinced that Thailand could become a hub," he said.
Pichai attended the 29th Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting during Sept 17-21 in Brunei. Asean energy ministers agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding with the International Energy Agency, for cooperation in completing the Energy Technology Perspectives 2012 and Technology Prospects on the Asean Power Generation Sector. Plus an agreement with eight counterparties - China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, Russia and the US, Asean is promised clean-energy technology transfer to help reduce the regional greenhouse gas emission.
Energy would be one of the key topics of the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2012, which will be hosted by Thailand.
