Government Emphasizes Energy Saving and the Use of Alternative Energy

(06/04/2012)

The Government has called for energy saving and is ready to promote the use of alternative energy in the face of rocketing oil prices. The Ministry of Energy is launching a campaign to give advice to motorists on how to drive properly in order to save costs from energy use, while proceeding with a project to save energy in government buildings. The campaign aims to reduce the use of fuel oil and urge people to switch from petrol to alternative energy sources, such as gasohol, biodiesel, and natural gas for vehicles (NGV). People have also been urged to turn from private cars to public transport, such as electric trains for commuters: the “skytrain” and the subway. The campaign will not only promote the efficient use of energy but will also reduce the problem of global warming. The Cabinet, during its meeting on 2 April 2012, approved the Ministry of Energy’s management project to save energy in government offices. The pilot project is being carried out at three public places, namely Thammasat University (Rangsit Center), Chiang Mai University, and the Government Complex Commemorating His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary. The Cabinet told the Ministry of Energy to coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and other related agencies to allow government offices to spend money saved from their efficient use of energy on investment and management projects. It also approved guidelines to increase liquidity of the Oil Fund by extending the repayment period for bank loans from one year to three years. In her statement at the Thailand Energy Awards 2011 on 29 March 2012, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra stressed the Government’s energy-saving policy, saying that amidst the changing situation in the world, energy security was playing an increasingly important role, in addition to food security and economic stability. She pointed out that higher oil prices have led to higher production costs. In order to ensure that the oil-price rise will not put too much pressure on the people, energy saving and the development of and search for renewable energy sources must continue, so concerted efforts by all relevant agencies are necessary. The Prime Minister stated that the Government is ready to give a helping hand to raise public awareness of the importance of energy saving and alternative energy development. In its energy policy, the Government will support the production, use, and research into and development of renewable and alternative energy sources, with the objective of replacing 25 percent of the energy generated by fossil fuels within the next decade. It will also promote and drive energy conservation through the reduction of power use in the production process by 25 percent within the next two decades.