The Energy Ministry is drawing up a 20year energy plan, with the goal to reduce consumption by 25 per cent during 2010-2030.
"Our target is to cut energy consumption on the 2005 base year by onefourth. This is in line with the agreement with other Asean countries," said Energy Minister Wannarat Charnnukul.
Wannarat noted that the 20year energy plan would be shaped in the same way as the 15year alternative energy development plan. The drafting process will require brainstorming by academics, and representatives of public and private agencies. The plan, to be completed in July, will bring all energyefficiency projects under the ministry's supervision in one place and will include the energy saved by the Transport Ministry's masstransit investment projects.
This will mark the first time that Thailand has incorporate all energyefficiency projects into one plan, for streamlined implementation to achieve its longterm target.
"If we achieve the onefourth cut in energy consumption, Thailand will reduce carbon emissions by at least 30 million tonnes per annum. As the new energy plan will be implement?ed along with the alternative energy development plan, which targets to reduce CO2 emissions by 42 million tonnes a year, it will make it possible for Thailand to reduce up to 72 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year," Wannarat said.
To commemorate the 60th royal wedding anniversary this year of Their Majesties, and His Majesty the King's 84th birth?day in 2011, the ministry is launching 30 energyefficiency projects.
A major part will involve the replacement of old light tubes at public agencies' buildings, particularly those that use one megawatt of power or spend at least Bt300,000 on an annual electricity bill. Including provincial halls and all min?istries' buildings, the project targets the replacement of 2.5 million tubes this year. So far, 500,000 tubes have been replaced.
Wannarat also sees the need to make greater use of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to support carboncred?it trading. At present, about 96 energy projects have won the Greenhouse Gas Organisation's permission to join the CDM scheme, but only two are offi?cially involved in the scheme. To join the CDM, they need cer?tification from one of the 27 international accreditation agencies.
"We need to review how our accreditation system could be improved to win international acceptance. This will speed up our involvement in the CDM. I have discussed this with the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, and we may send experts for training. We may also set up a special agency with financial support from the Energy Conservation Fund," the minister said.