Suvarnabhumi to Become Thailand’s First "Green" Airport

[snoop1130]

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) plans to develop Suvarnabhumi International Airport into the first environmentally friendly, or "Green" airport in Thailand, with the goal to create renewable energy for airport use to reduce electricity costs by around 20-30 percent per year.

 

AOT Chief Executive Officer Kirati Kitmanawat disclosed the progress on a plan to generate renewable energy within the airport to alleviate the financial load from its electricity bills. He stated that solar panels have already been installed on the roof of the airport’s main terminal, with officials looking to add photovoltaic energy to further cut the airport’s power bills, similar to major airports in other countries.

 

In addition, AOT plans to switch the airport’s transportation to electric vehicles once the current vehicle rental contract expires. Public transportation vehicles providing service at the airport will also be urged to switch to electric vehicles as well.

 

The AOT CEO expects the airport to fully rely on solar panels and renewable energy in around four years. If the Suvarnabhumi project is successful, the AOT plans to manage the transition to solar and renewable energy at other airports under its supervision.

 

Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230505132008060

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2023-05-05

 

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[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The AOT CEO expects the airport to fully rely on solar panels and renewable energy in around four years. If the Suvarnabhumi project is successful, the AOT plans to manage the transition to solar and renewable energy at other airports under its supervision.

About time too, Thailands climate screams solar energy.

[zzaa09]

24 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

About time too, Thailands climate screams solar energy.

Actually - practicing such policies, universally, would be a breakthrough here. 

They can start by mandating all govt structures to abide by this manner.....and then install a population-wide subsidy so that everyone can go solar. 

 

Just a dreamy thought.....even though nothing will ever come of it. 

The bottom line is that none of these things is profitable for those particular oligarchical circles. 

 

So....never mind.

[jacko45k]

I suppose a good start would be if all the airport support vehicles were electric......bus the VIPs to their private jets in a golf buggy, rather than a large Mercedes. 

[ignis]

11 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

I suppose a good start would be if all the airport support vehicles were electric......bus the VIPs to their private jets in a golf buggy, rather than a large Mercedes. 

VIP's in a Golf Buggy ????????

or maybe a good reason to buy a fleet of new large Mercedes ?  lets see how much money they can spend.. I mean there a MUST have right

 

 https://www.mercedes-benz.co.th/en/passengercars/models/electric.html

[hotchilli]

52 minutes ago, zzaa09 said:

Actually - practicing such policies, universally, would be a breakthrough here. 

They can start by mandating all govt structures to abide by this manner.....and then install a population-wide subsidy so that everyone can go solar. 

 

Just a dreamy thought.....even though nothing will ever come of it. 

The bottom line is that none of these things is profitable for those particular oligarchical circles. 

 

So....never mind.

Get a new party into power, ie MFP.

Cut the defense budget in half or more, get rid of most of the Generals and Commanders, 

spend the saving on subsidising solar power to the public.

[zzaa09]

4 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Get a new party into power, ie MFP.

Cut the defense budget in half or more, get rid of most of the Generals and Commanders, 

spend the saving on subsidising solar power to the public.

The revolution has taken hold...

[rwill]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

About time too, Thailands climate screams solar energy.

Just in Ratchaburi there are 3 solar farms that I am aware of.  There could be more.  So I would bet there are hundreds of them around the country.  I've seen some in the bigger reservoirs too.

[mikebell]

Thais are great at copying; Changi has been doing this for decades.

Edited May 6, 2023 by mikebell
extra thoughts.

[PETERTHEEATER]

4 hours ago, mikebell said:

Thais are great at copying; Changi has been doing this for decades.

Changi in Singapore?

[richard_smith237]

6 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Get a new party into power, ie MFP.

Cut the defense budget in half or more, get rid of most of the Generals and Commanders, 

spend the saving on subsidising solar power to the public.

The did subsidise it to business at one point...  

I recall speaking with a guy who had solar farms in Thailand...   it was profitable until the government cut the subsidies. He ended up abandoning the farm [ that is just one anecdote through ].

 

 

BUT.. for the public... IF there can be a ‘buy back / flow back’ option where electricity can be sold back to the ‘grid’ that would attract a lot more people.

 

Making the airport more energy efficient is an excellent idea... BUT, I can’t help but think the underlying incentive here is someone higher up making a bit on the side !!! (yes, I’ve become horribly cynical in my years here but I just don’t see any decisions being made at such a level unless someone gets their cut).

 

 

[richard_smith237]

22 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

4 hours ago, mikebell said:

Thais are great at copying; Changi has been doing this for decades.

Changi in Singapore?

Is there any other ?

[richard_smith237]

7 hours ago, jacko45k said:

I suppose a good start would be if all the airport support vehicles were electric......bus the VIPs to their private jets in a golf buggy, rather than a large Mercedes. 

You’ve actually been to Thailand and witnessed the climate here, right ???... 

... the heat, humidity and often the torrential rain...    

 

Economy riff-raff shouldn’t be transported in ‘golf buggies’ let alone private jet passengers who are paying for premium treatment.

 

BUT... to take your point - the AC Busses could be electric, the ground vehicles could be... 

BUT... Are they really environmentally friendly and green ???....  Of course this is a slightly off-topic whole other debate about how green ‘elective vehicles’ really are considering the energy consumption during production etc...  and the end production of electricity itself. 

 

 

Back on topic - installing plenty of solar cells at the airport is a good move forward.. not just on the roof’s but there is also a lot of ‘unused flat area’ between and outside of the runways and taxi ways etc.

 

[jacko45k]

16 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

You’ve actually been to Thailand and witnessed the climate here, right ???... 

Yeah, just for a few decades!  Have you?

Sweating like heck at 6am right now. So you suggest we drop the idea of pollution controls because it is hot!

Edited May 6, 2023 by jacko45k

[mikebell]

18 hours ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

Changi in Singapore?

Yes.