Govt aims to save Bt3.4 bn through cutting energy consumption by 10%
The government is stepping forward with a plan to reduce energy consumption by 10 per cent annually, which would be implemented as a long-term policy to save more than Bt3.4 billion per year.
So far, the energy-saving policy has been launched with all government agencies and will meet the target by reducing consumption by 10 per cent by this October, achieving cost savings of Bt1.6 billion.
During a seminar yesterday titled "Thai Government Agencies’ Collaboration for Energy Saving", Energy Minister Arak Chonlatanon said the project would help cut electricity costs by Bt900 million and fuel spending by Bt700 million. The policy will also be promoted among the private sector.
"We believe that we will achieve the goal by October, and we want to promote this policy with the private sector by urging them to use suits less frequently, as well as use eco-cars for official cars," Arak said.
Suthep Liumsirijarern, director-general of the Energy Policy and Planning Office at the ministry, said the government would consider special privileges for companies that implement the energy-saving policy as one of their key management initiatives such as soft loans, tax privileges and other measures.
Currently, all government agencies consume a combined 32,000 units per year. If they can save only 10 per cent, that would mean 320 million units saved as well as 19 million litres of fuel.
The policy will be implemented through more than 800 government buildings. In addition, the government will spend Bt6.3 billion to improve its electrical appliances and save more energy.
The government aims to save Bt1.8 billion in its short-term plan and Bt3.4 billion per year in the long term.
Among the government agencies, the Office of the Civil Service Commission had the best energy-saving practices, followed by the Department of Probation and the Permanent Secretariat Office of the Public Health Ministry.
In addition, the Department of Mineral Fuels is the biggest office in reducing usage of oil, followed by the Permanent Secretariat Office of the Public Health Ministry and the Fine Arts Department.
