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Published on July 21, 2007

Esco businesses comprise about 60 energy-management service-providers for workplaces and install technologies to lower energy costs.

Department director-general Panich Pongpirodom said there had been just nine companies using Esco services over the past four years. They have invested Bt2.42 billion and cut energy costs by Bt550 million a year, he said.

Companies can save tax, too, because the Board of Investment offers incentives for Esco machinery imports.

However, Panich said some companies were not confident about Esco service. "We will focus more on promoting Esco, because it will help these companies cut costs and increase productivity," he said.

It will reduce the country's imported-energy bill by as much as Bt870.17 billion a year, he added.

Meanwhile the department is working with 11 financial institutes to make low-interest loans of Bt7.2 billion to 167 operators seeking to improve their production using alternative energy. They are expected to cut costs by Bt2.9 billion a year.

Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul

The Nation