Community power plants considered as means to fight air pollution

By The Nation

 

Sontirat Sontijirawong

 

Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong said as part of measures to reduce air pollution, the Department of Energy Development and Promotion will hold a public hearing on Wednesday (October 9) on community-based power projects.

 

He added that his ministry will also complete plans to promote the use of B10 diesel within this month, while the government plans to launch a promotion for electric vehicles within this year.

 

“We plan to have at least one power-plant per community. This will not only reduce air pollution but will also strengthen the local economy as these plants will be fed by energy-producing crops and farm by-products. Details of the plan will be announced before the end of this year,” Sontirat said.

 

Apart from building community-based power plants and promoting the use of B10 diesel from January onwards, Sontirat has also tasked the Department of Energy Business to promote the use of ethanol among car owners and oil-manufacturing companies.

 

The option of promoting the use of electric vehicles is also being discussed with related parties such as the Industry and Finance ministries, the private sector and local and international automakers.

 

Meanwhile, the Energy Conservation Fund committee, led by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, will be meeting on Thursday (October 10) to discuss the funds required for the community-based power project, which is currently estimated to cost Bt12 billion per year.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30377206

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-10-09

Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info

Polluting piecemeal instead of wholesale isn't a solution to eliminating pollution.

 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

to discuss the funds required for the community-based power project, which is currently estimated to cost Bt12 billion per year.

This is the real business of the meeting.

On 10/9/2019 at 3:30 AM, webfact said:

We plan to have at least one power-plant per community.

 

On 10/9/2019 at 3:30 AM, webfact said:

these plants will be fed by energy-producing crops and farm by-products.

I don't see these smaller power plants being connected to EGAT's national power grid.

As such the communities will be further isolated and more vulnerable to energy shortages, blackouts and politicalization.

What is needed is expansion of EGAT's Transmission & Distribution system to cover all rural communities. That's not to say communities shouldn't supplement their power needs with renewal power projects, ie., grants from EGAT, as responsible energy users and farmers. But it is the State's responsibility to all its citizens to assure fair and equal access to energy. That reinforces social equality.