Sonthirat awaits Cabinet approval for first phase of energising economy
In a bid to reduce the cost of living and boost people’s income amid the Covid-19 fallout, Energy Minister Sonthirat Sonthijirawong presented a Bt100-billion energy plan to Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak and related agencies on Thursday (June 25).
The plan, expected to last three to six months, aims to stimulate grassroots economy through community power plants. He expects the Cabinet to approve the first phase of the plan, currently being reviewed by related state agencies, by June 30.
The first phase will see the state purchasing 100 megawatts once the 700MW plant has been completed. This should generate more than Bt2 billion in revenue and create as many as 10,000 jobs.
The minister’s plan also seeks to encourage the use of energy to help stimulate the economy and allocates up to Bt5.6 billion to the Energy Conservation Promotion Fund for use in supporting the tourism sector.
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