Special tariffs on alternative fuel-generated electricity under review

Thailand’s Energy Ministry is reviewing the special tariffs or “adders” on alternative-fuel-generated electricity, to promote more such energy in case nuclear power does not take off as planned. Energy Department Deputy Permanent Secretary Norkun Sitthiphong said the ministry would first need to review appropriate alternative-energy choices to replace the planned nuclear power, and then the adder on each type would be reviewed to fit the present situation and encourage power generation from it. Norkun said the adders must be reviewed carefully, or else an excess of alternative energy would raise the fuel tariff, which varies in accordance with fuel cost, by more than 12 satang (US$0.12) a unit. (March 19, 2010)