Thailand redefines energy goals

Over the past decade, Thailand has attained significant economic growth and has moved into the upper middle income bracket in the World Bank’s listing. According to the Nation, a daily newspaper in Thailand, this has led to a growing demand for resources; over the last 25 years the country’s energy consumption has grown by 6.2% per annum. In line with developing the country’s energy security, Thailand’s Ministry of Energy and the World Economic Forum (WEF), a Swiss non-profit foundation, based in Cologny, Geneva, are exploring ways that will enable the country to create a new energy architecture. This new architecture will be secure, sustainable, and at the same time, affordable. Towards this end, the Ministry of Energy will reduce the country’s energy intensity by 25% through 2030, compared with the 2005 level. This will be achieved with the cooperation of the public and the government said it will instigate campaigns aimed at improving energy literacy. The country will also seek to minimize its exposure to global markets, and will thus pursue a policy of diversification. Shares of coal, nuclear and renewable energy are slated to rise over the coming years as the government promulgates policies shaped across stakeholder groups that will have public-private partnerships, which will also lead to the creation of more jobs. Furthermore, Thailand recognizes that its central location in the ASEAN region gives the country the opportunity to become a hub for energy trade in various sectors including electricity, gas and biofuels. (May 18, 2012)