About 100 small- and medium-sized industrial plants nationwide have joined the Industrial Works Department's "Energy Saving for Small Enterprise" project (ES for SE).
The memorandum of understanding, which involves plants reducing energy consumption and enhancing energy efficiency, was signed yesterday.
"This is a major policy to help small operators at a time of fragile economic conditions. We aim to help them reduce costs on all fronts, particularly in terms of energy," Prapat Vanapitaksa, director-general of the department, said.
Under the project, production efficiency will be enhanced while alternative and local energy sources will be secured. If the plants can reduce their energy costs by at least 10 per cent then they can save at least Bt80 million a year as well as help reduce global warming.
The ES for SE, running for the fourth consecutive year, aims to create pilot industrial plants in each region. Participating SMEs will also enjoy financial assistance for energy-efficient equipment.
The project has won cooperation from several universities including Chulalongkorn, Kasetsart and Naresuan.