Alternative energy seeks recognition
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A GROUP of alternative-energy investors yesterday urged the government to add this business segment to its "super-cluster" scheme, believing that there would be up to Bt40 billion a year in investments directly injected into the rural economy from this
“We regret that the alternative-energy business was not named as one of the recently announced eight super-cluster sectors, which will be given extra incentives,” said Pichai Tinsuntisook, head of the alternative-energy industrial group in the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
He said alternative-energy enterprises were ready to invest in renewable-source power plants, especially in the 10 special economic zones (SEZs) recently announced by the government.
Suwat Kamolpanas, vice chairman of the FTI’s alternative-industry group, said that according to a survey, there was potential to generate as much as 1,000 megawatts from alternative sources in the 10 SEZs.
Biomass-fuelled power plant
He added that for a 10MW biomass-fuelled power plant, about 100,000 tonnes of bagasse, cassava residue or sawdust would be needed, translating as around Bt100 |million a year being channelled to farmers.
“If we need biomass power plants producing [a total of] 500MW, that means there will be around Bt5 billion a year directly going to the farmers,” Suwat said.
Pichai said that if the government focused more on supporting the alternative-energy industry, it could see as much as Bt40 billion in annual investment in this field.
“Currently, FTI members’ demand for investments in alternative-power plants, including solar, wind, biomass and biogas, in the SEZs accounts for 150MW in total.”
He added that the group wanted the government to prepare for transmission-line and power-purchase agreements in advance while not calling for increases in electricity prices.
“In short, the alternative-power plants should be given support and promotion, especially in SEZs, in a bid to be in line with growing industries,” Pichai said.
The first phase of the SEZ programme will comprise Tak, Mukdahan, Sa Kaew, Trat and Songkhla provinces, while second phase will see the zones established in Chiang Rai, Kanchanaburi, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom and Narathiwat.
