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Published on February 11, 2008

Energy consumption by buildings is a major source - estimated at 60 per cent - of greenhouse gas emissions in cities.

Some 350 building owners and operators in the capital joined the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to spearhead the campaign on Saturday.

"About a quarter of what you pay on monthly power bills is for electricity that yields nothing to enhance comfort or profits," BMA Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said.

"Buildings waste a lot of power from inefficient lighting and cooling systems. So why not make a small contribution to save money over the long term and help improve living conditions and the environment of cities?"

In May last year, Apirak made a commitment to join the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) to retrofit buildings to cut wasteful energy use.

Thirty-nine other large cities around the world have joined CCI's move to make their buildings consume less power, reducing greenhouse emissions.

"President Clinton will announce its progress on global cities such as Bangkok at a teleconference in April," Apirak said.

CCI Bangkok representative Christopher Seeley said the William Jefferson Clinton Foundation had negotiated substantial price discounts for the latest energy-efficient technology in a bid to make it affordable to partnering cities.

"For example, manufacturers of highly energy-efficient LED lights normally sell them at US$50 (Bt1,650) per unit. The price we obtained is $11. This will bring new technologies here more rapidly," he said.

He said CCI had also facilitated finance, technical and legal assistance to procure these goods with preferential terms and conditions.

This will make it easier and cheaper for building owners and operators to retrofit buildings.

The foundation works with a number of energy service companies that offer services in Bangkok.

"The price of energy is not going to fall," Seeley said. "There's also pressure from communities for business to become more socially and environmentally responsible. Some use this as a marketing tool to differentiate them from competitors. So it's not the matter of if, but more of when, you'll make the investment to improve energy efficiency."

CCI partner companies included Trane, Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Chevron and Siemens.

Banks such as Citigroup, Deutsche Bank and ABN Amro have each committed $1 billion to be made available to CCI partners worldwide.

"If you have Bt10 million today, you may think of investing it in government bonds or stock markets," said Adis Preukpattanarak, senior manager of Trane (Thailand).

"Some forget you can also invest in an energy-saving programme. This not only helps the world but boosts your savings in future."

Apirak said BMA civil works and water drainage offices at Din Daeng would be the first two buildings to undergo retrofits this month.

Eight hospitals under the BMA's control will be next to be retrofitted.

Nantiya Tangwisutijit

The Nation