Thailand on path towards lower energy consumption

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ENERGY
Kingdom on path towards lower energy consumption
ACHARA DEBOONME,
WATCHARAPONG THONGRUNG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- NEW BUILDINGS will soon be required to introduce new technology and equipment to reduce energy consumption by 30 per cent from the 2010 base if they are to win construction licences.

The list of products with the "Eco" label will be expanded to cover new devices like tablets and mobile phones, to ensure that only energy-efficient devices are in use.

These are among a series of measures outlined by the Energy Ministry in the quest to lower Thailand's energy intensity by 30 per cent by 2036 from the 2010 base. The integrated energy-efficiency plan is designed to put stricter control on existing industrial and commercial buildings, all new buildings, electronic and electrical appliances, utility producers, the transport sector and government agencies.

Twarath Sutabutr, deputy permanent secretary of the Energy Ministry, said the target was achievable with the advanced technology available today and in the future.

Energy intensity is in focus as the authorities seek to achieve a more balanced strategy. While supply will be boosted by new investment locally and overseas, the demand side will have to be lowered to ensure long-term national energy security and combat climate change.

In 2010, every kilotonne of oil and other energy sources consumed in Thailand cost the Kingdom Bt15.6 billion. That cost will be cut by 30 per cent by 2036, when energy consumption should be cut by 56,142 kilotonnes of oil equivalent (ktoe).

To achieve this, the Building Code will be strengthened, to issue construction licences to only those buildings that can meet the requirements. Starting this year, government agencies that are constructing new buildings have to comply with the requirements, or their expenses will not be approved. For private buildings, the new rules are set to take effect in 2017, when electricity consumption should be cut by 20ktoe. The rate of reduction will be gradually stepped up, eventually reaching 1,407ktoe in 2036.

The Eco-label list will be extended from 54 items at present to cover cars, motorcycles and notepads, for example.

"With the labels, consumers will find it easier to buy energy-efficient products. This will be changed in line with the changing lifestyle," Twarath said.

The plan will cover financial support to energy-saving projects, entailing subsidies, soft loans, funds to energy service companies and tax incentives.

Talks are under way to replace conventional light bulbs on highways and public venues with LEDs (light-emitting diodes), which will reduce electricity costs and will be less harmful to the environment. To encourage a change to LEDs in the household, business and industrial sectors, the Energy Conservation Fund will extend loans for replacement. The interest-free loan can be repaid with the savings in electricity costs in a 24-month period.

Utility giants Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Metropolitan Electricity Authority and Provincial Electricity Authority will be ordered to campaign for energy reduction among their clients. The percentage of energy consumption will be linked to each agency's key performance index (KPI), allowing it to win compensation if it is able to beat the target. In this regard, by 2036, 2,728ktoe is expected to be saved.

"We are working on the compensation. The level should be enough to incentivise these agencies," Twarath said.

The biggest cut is expected to come from the transport sector, 30,666ktoe in 2036. More than one-third, 13,731ktoe, will be achieved through the promotion of low-emission vehicles, based on the assumption that 11 million new passenger vehicles will be on the streets between 2016 and 2036 and 4 million pickup trucks. The new excise tax, levied accordingly to emission levels, will take effect next January 1.

A total of 1,250ktoe is expected to be saved in 2036 through improvements in the logistics sector. About 200 logistics providers are now joining the Federation of Thai Industries' project to improve logistics management, which should save energy consumption by 10 per cent and improve driving behaviour, which could save another 25 per cent.

"We have to make a move, though all these may not be completed within this government's term. These measures coupled with price signals will significantly cut down energy consumption," Twarath said with confidence.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Kingdom-on-path-towards-lower-energy-consumption-30261381.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-02

[EricBerg]

Now there's good policy! The target of a 30% reduction looks very ambitious, then again the city of angels alone is wasting huge amounts of energy. And I always was surprised not to see heaps and heaps of solar panels collecting free energy of what is plenty in LoS. Whatever happens, the sun always shines in Thailand.

[rhythmworx]

I will tell the family they can only burn candles for 30 minutes at night,

Strictly no more.

[Guest]

While energy reduction is always a good idea for many good reasons, I will never understand how countries on the equator are not close to energy independent via solar.

If you wiould like to see an explanation of how solar energy can produce electricity 24 hours a day .. here is a link to one of hundreds of examples.

Thailand could do a great job in this, if they tried.

[bangkokheat]

if the foreigners stop coming here and using up all that electricity, then heaps of energy will be saved, oh wait, its already happening.

Cant understand why water conservation isnt on top of the list, its getting scarce in pattaya

[quandow]

I wonder what percentage tea money it will cost to qualify as compliance? I hate sounding cynical, but after nine years in this place, I've given up hope.

[boomerangutang]

'greenwash' = appearing 'green' and environmentally friendly, but actually just corporate or government PR for better image.

Thais could do a lot better environmentally. On just one topic, using less electricity, there are heaps of ways to improve. Start with: use less. Go to any 7-11 and there will be dozens of lamps (never any skylights), dozens of cooling units, a row of large condensers outside humming 24-7. Most commercial buildings in Bkk and elsewhere in Thailand have massive air.con units churning non-stop - even if it's comfortably cool and/or raining outside. Lights are on all over Bangkok, 98% un-needed. the list goes on and on....

[FloridaExport]

They need a mock-up of the stickers, so the counterfeiters can get a head start on them. That old equipment isn't going anywhere.

[zappalot]

A start would be to change all lights to the new LED technology.

Only in our building they could safe a lot of energy and close to 10,000 baht per month. Just they don't care. You can hand over a detailed calculation, they only look at it, scratching their head and telling you "no" and that I don't understand and that it is not possible. We have 32 floors in each floor we have 13 lightbulbs of the old-style using nine what hours. They could be replaced by 3 W LED bulbs. 13X6X24x30x32x4,6/1000=8266 Baht/month.

I changed all the light bulbs in our floor, cost was 99 baht per each so they do not even cost more anymore. They are burning now since May 25, 2014, more than one year already.

If you look around Bangkok you find the the old bulbs everywhere. Even in malls. They would save double the money and energy because the heat the old-style bulb produces need to be cooled down by the air conditioner. I mean there are sitting managers, they could save tens of thousands of baht per mall and month but yet nothing happens.

Everyday I am shaking my head more about this country…

[tbthailand]

if I remember right, around 30-40% of the world's daily energy use goes to buildings...

It's one of the low-hanging fruit in energy conservation... small gains are a big win.

[Ulic]

While energy reduction is always a good idea for many good reasons, I will never understand how countries on the equator are not close to energy independent via solar.

If you wiould like to see an explanation of how solar energy can produce electricity 24 hours a day .. here is a link to one of hundreds of examples.

Thailand could do a great job in this, if they tried.

Once Australia, the USA or some other country develops this technology I am sure Thailand and many other

countries will allow the same countries to sell and build the plants for them, as long as they finance the projects

as well. Just like the high speed rail projects.

[dominique355]

'greenwash' = appearing 'green' and environmentally friendly, but actually just corporate or government PR for better image.

Thais could do a lot better environmentally. On just one topic, using less electricity, there are heaps of ways to improve. Start with: use less. Go to any 7-11 and there will be dozens of lamps (never any skylights), dozens of cooling units, a row of large condensers outside humming 24-7. Most commercial buildings in Bkk and elsewhere in Thailand have massive air.con units churning non-stop - even if it's comfortably cool and/or raining outside. Lights are on all over Bangkok, 98% un-needed. the list goes on and on....

I tried to find the new, energy saving LED lights, but could not find them in Pattaya, except at Boonthavorn.

[dragonfly94]

Used to live near the Nation Tower on Bagna Trat road- lit up like a Christmas tree!

[Shiver]

I've always wondered why buildings aren't double skinned, both to keep heat out and keep cool in. It's been standard practice in colder countries for generations, and the principle works both ways.

I guess it's like buying a cheap appliance and tacking the real cost on by giving the customer the utility bill for the rest of its working life.

[Thai at Heart]

Just look at the average moobhan and construction technique.

A tiny thin bit of foil touching the roofing tiles is what you get, not a tree in sight for shade......All good for Mitsubishi AC's

[boomerangutang]

If Thais do get new tech, it will be from following the lead and/or buying from other countries. Do Thais have the brains to develop new tech? Yes. Do they have support from biz and gov't to do so? No. In the US, there are places where innovators can go to develop new tech. The innovators pay a small fee to use the facility and tools there - such tools that none could afford to purchase independently, such as laser cutters, 3D printers, etc. It's also a great venue for inventers/innovators to interact with others who are like-minded.

Could Thailand set up such 'development centers'? Yes, but it would take some investment and willingness, and vision.

[Jeremy50]

It's just too late to combat climate change, as anyone alive in 50 years time will find out.

[fred Kubasa]

technology is fine but meanwhile, using energy efficiently, is good enough. Switch from incandescent lighting to low energy, put in drop ceilings, ( down form 12 to 20 feet, to 8 feet ), businesses install double doors to avoid air conditioning surrounding Sois,

Install " everything off " cards that shut energy down until you return, buy only 5 star energy use appliances, wash clothes in cold water, turn shower water heater to "low", don't fill hot pots, just put enough water in for this use, and about 30 other energy suggestions available but.......... no Thai really cares !