Thailand’s Renewable Investment Opportunities Showcased at Clean Power Asia

Bangkok, Thailand, June 22, 2011 --(PR.com)-- “Thailand is committed to the low-carbon pathway,” says Dr. Twarath Sutabutr, Deputy Director-General, Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency, in Thailand’s Ministry of Energy. Dr Sutabutr heads up a high-level and expert list of energy speakers at the upcoming Clean Power Asia conference and expo in Bangkok, from 28-30 June.

With regards to investment opportunities in Thailand, the country’s ministry of Energy says alternative energy resources provide a practical link between the country’s agricultural competitive advantages and its domestic energy needs. Dr. Sutabutr explains: "Thailand is committed to the Low-Carbon pathway, as stated in the new National Economic and Social Development Plan (11th plan), due to the fact that Thailand is a net-importer of fossil fuels. The only way to be independent from the importation is to go along the "Green and Clean Energy" corridor, including Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency and maybe Nuclear Energy."

Clean Power Asia will be a unique meeting of power industry experts focusing on both renewable and cleaner fossil power. It will also give Thailand the opportunity to showcase its green track record and showcase the many investment opportunities the renewable energy industry offers.

Thailand’s ministry of Energy and the local utilities, EGAT and PEA ENCOM, are officially supporting Clean Power Asia, during which some 300 delegates will hear from power experts from more than 14 countries in the region who will report back on renewable and cleaner fossil power projects including from Thailand, Singapore, Korea, China, the Philippines, India, Australia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, India, Pakistan and Iran.

Thailand's current steps towards the Clean Energy pathway

The two site visits on the programme of Clean Power Asia will offer delegates the rare opportunity to explore two of the most prominent solar power projects in Thailand, namely the Ned Project, which is the world’s largest silicon thin-film solar farm, and the BCP solar power project.

Renewable investment opportunities in Thailand include:

Ethanol: The Energy Ministry has already short listed 15 local biomass power plants for foreign company investment, under the United Nations’ Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol.

Solar Cells: Thailand continues to make significant strides in solar generated electric capacity. Currently, much of Thailand’s solar-panels are made for export, but solar energy development now also offers great potential for filling a domestic energy demand, particularly in remote rural and mountainous regions.

Wind Power: The Thai government offers subsidies for electricity produced by wind power. In a recent example of this technology’s potential, a tapioca flour processing plant, eliminated the 8,000 liters/day of fuel oil formerly used in the production process, and cut 40% in production costs.

Biodiesel: The government has a target of 4.25 million litres/day of biodiesel, for a 7% consumption substitute of diesel by the year 2011. Palm oil, one of the most readily available inputs for biodiesel production can be found in abundant quantities in Thailand.

More highlights from the Clean Power Asia programme include:

Renewable power:

· China WindPower plans to build and operate up to 800 MW of new wind farms by 2012
· Keys to success from Southeast Asia’s largest solar power plant project in Thailand
· Optimizing Hydropower generation in peninsular Malaysia – TNB’s Green Energy Initiatives
· Update on the Wayang Windu Project in Indonesia
· Lessons learned from one of the first European style organic waste to energy projects in Thailand

Cleaner fossil power generation:

· Environmental considerations related to the development and implementation of the 660MW coal-fired power plant project in Thailand (Gheco-One)
· Successful cleaner fossil fuel coal based power plant development: the Tianjin IGCC project in China
· PLN Indonesia’s approach to environmentally friendly coal power production
· Thailand’s Mae Moh coal fired power plant’s achievements in reducing emissions through technological and operational improvements
· Korea’s experiences in cost savings while generating ultra-clean electricity

Leading government and industry experts on the programme include:

· Dr.Kurujit Nakornthap, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Thailand
· Sutat Patmasiriwat, Governor, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), Thailand
· Pongsakorn Tantiwanichanon, Deputy Governor Planning and System Development, Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), Thailand
· Luluk Sumiarso, Former Director General of New and Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Indonesia
· Dr. Ram Babu, CEO, General Carbon, India
· Dato’ Ir. Azman Bin Mohd, COO, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Malaysia
· Dr. Direk Lavansiri, Chairman, Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Thailand
· Ir. Ahmad Fauzi Hasan, CEO, Energy Commission, Malaysia
· Andrew Beebe, Chief Commercial Officer, Suntech Power, China
· Xaypaseuth Phomsoupha, Director General, Department of Energy Promotion and Development, Ministry of Energy and Mines, Lao PDR
· Francis Saturnino C. Juan, Executive Director, Energy Regulatory Commission, The Philippines
· Ir. Ahmad Fauzi Hasan, CEO, Energy Commission, Malaysia
· Maaike Göbel, Manager, Southeast Asia and Pacific Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), Australia
· Nur Pamudji Director for Primary Energy, PT PLN (Persero), Indonesia

Event dates: Conference dates: 28-30 June, Site visits (optional): 30 June
Event location: Intercontinental Hotel, 973 Ploenchit Road, Bangkok, Thailand

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