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Published on April 10, 2008

The highlights include lending to householders who are buying energy-saving equipment, said Energy Minister Poonpirom Liptapanlop. The loans will be extended between May this year and September 2009. Borrowers are entitled to zero-interest credit with a one-year instalment period.

Initially, four financial institutions - Krung Thai Bank, Bank of Ayudhya, the Government Savings Bank and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives - will lend no more than Bt10,000 to each borrower.

Twelve financial institutions - including Krung Thai Bank, TMB Bank and the Export-Import Bank of Thailand - have also agreed to join the programme for enterprises that want to replace electrical equipment. They will sign an agreement with the ministry today to lend Bt50 billion, with a maximum interest rate of 4 per cent.

Other measures include a free air-conditioner cleaning service for households whose monthly energy bills are less than Bt1,500. The ministry will also give away energy-saving light bulbs to temples and mosques across the country, aiming to make the places examples that rural people can follow.

Manufacturers of energy-saving equipment will also be required to print labels indicating each product's energy-saving level.

Meanwhile, refineries will be asked to replace liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in their production with bunker oil, as the Energy Ministry aims to ease the tight LPG supply and delay gas imports.

Energy permanent secretary Pornchai Rujiprapa said the ministry would soon have discussions with all refineries to inform them that if they make the replacement they would be subsidised Bt5-Bt7 for each kilogram of bunker oil, which is more expensive than LPG.

"This temporary measure could be in place until July, when the supply of natural gas for vehicles and the LPG pricing formula is changed," Pornchai said.

As more LPG would be available, imports could be delayed at a time when LPG from overseas is US$800 (Bt25,400) a tonne against $332 domestically.

He also said that the cracks in the natural-gas pipeline from Burma would be fixed within three days.

Energy Reporters

The Nation