Six municipalities and the Provincial Electricity Authority yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding to design and implement localbased energyefficiency programmes.
The "Mainstreaming Energy Efficiency Measures in Thai Municipalities" project, financed by the Asian Development Bank with US$1 million (Bt32.7 million) of technical assistance, will also enable local government units to structure innovative financ¬ing arrangements and help the PEA prepare business plans to roll out the programme across the country.
The project will further strengthen the capacity of both the PEA and the municipalities to undertake these initiatives. The municipalities - Lamphun, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Ban Pong, Trang and Krabi - plan to reduce 10 per cent of energy consumption in municipal buildings and street lighting. This could result in savings of over Bt200 million a year.
The initiative will be expanded later to residential consumers.
Other municipalities and organisations are expected to replicate the project findings in their own systems.
The six are among the 1,000 municipalities in Thailand. Electricity consumption for public services and municipal activi¬ties has increased rapidly over the years, due to increased services.
Currently, electricity used by municipalities is partially sub¬sidised by the PEA.
The stateowned PEA is the largest electricity distribution utility in Thailand, serving more than 14 million customers. It is a key stakeholder in the country's energy sector and has played a vital role in supporting and promoting the government's energycon¬servation policy.
