Phuket signs clean-energy deal

By The Nation

 

 

Banpu Infinergy Company Limited, a provider of solar energy solutions with advanced technologies and a subsidiary of Banpu Plc, an integrated energy company in Asia-Pacific, and Phuket City Development, a social enterprise established by entrepreneurs, have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly implement the “Renewable Energy Development under the Phuket Smart City Plan”.

 

The purpose of the project is to transform Phuket into a smart city and respond to the government’s Thailand 4.0 initiative through renewable energy development. 

 

As part of this collaboration, Banpu Infinergy and Phuket City Development will study the feasibility of setting up micro-grids through the use of energy storage across Phuket, installing solar rooftop panels and by exploring the possibility of using electric vehicles.

 

Somruedee Chaimongkol, Banpu CEO, said: “As a leading energy company that supports the most efficient use of energy, Banpu Infinergy will continue to invest in renewable energy. We will not limit ourselves to solar energy but also explore the possibility of expanding to storage and management systems to help the government achieve its smart city initiatives.

 

“Phuket is one of Thailand’s prime cities for tourism and economic development. The city is equipped with the infrastructure for renewable energy use, which could significantly contribute to economic growth. Banpu Infinergy is pleased to be partnering with Phuket City Development in promoting the use of renewable energy which could enable Phuket to become a world-class tourist city that not only consumes energy efficiently but also improves quality of life while conserving the environment.”

 

Karn Prachumpan, CEO of Phuket City Development, said: “Our partnership with Banpu Infinergy started from our shared vision to transform Phuket into a model smart city for clean energy use coupled with Banpu Infinergy’s expertise in energy innovations and its leadership in energy technology and system settings. 

 

“The Phuket City Development Plan prioritises alternative electricity supply and green energy management, which would transform Phuket into a sustainable and livable city and a model that can contribute to the country’s energy security.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Corporate/30349386

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-7-5

"The city is equipped with the infrastructure for renewable energy use, which could significantly contribute to economic growth." (my bolding)

'Economic growth' (aka 'increasing GDP') has nothing whatsoever to do with making our world livable - in fact, it's probably the most significant factor in progressively making the world unlivable. The practice of apparently having to justify every good idea in terms of advancing GDP (and the Phuket efficient energy proposal is certainly a good development) is ridiculous.

.... just banning those old, unsafe, stinking Chinese tour busses, especially here in Phuket would be a good step to start of with!!