More attention to use of alternative energy

Thailands Energy Minister Poonpirom Liptapanlop said that in an effort to reduce oil imports, the Ministry had set a target to increase the use of alternative energy in the country to 12% in 2011, from 8% set earlier. At present, a soft loan of 50 million baht (US$1.5 million), derived from the Energy Conservation Fund, has been extended to the private sector for alternative energy production. Another major move is the recent Cabinet decision to approve measures to encourage the use of E85 gasohol, which is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% petrol. Automakers said that it would take three to six months for the commercial sale of imported E85 vehicles in Thailand, while locally produced E85 vehicles would be available in the next two to three years. (June 13, 2008)