Thailand plans to promote biomass energy production
The Energy Ministry will propose promoting biomass energy production to the National Energy Policy Council in a bid to further improve the environment in Thailand, Permanent Secretary for Energy Areepong Bhoocha-Oom has said.
The proposal will be submitted to the National Energy Policy Council, chaired by Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, at a meeting to be held soon, Areepong said.
Under the proposal, the ministry will purchase power from biomass plants to encourage a production increase of 8-20 per cent or about 500 megawatts nationwide in the next 20 years, he said.
Also, consideration will be given to extending business licences for small power plants producing steam energy within industrial estate compounds, Thai News Agency reported.
Such plants have received 20-25 year business licenses which are due to expire soon, Areepong said.
In addition the upcoming meeting of National Energy Policy Council might consider a smart grid project, a power network using high information technology for use in administration, production and distribution of electricity which could generate maximum benefit.
If implemented, it could further boost efficient electricity distribution by the three state-run power agencies -- Metropolitan Electricity Authority, the Provincial Electricity Authority and Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand -- by enabling them to use a single system and helps eliminate electric current losses when supplying for long distances.
