Alternative Energy Development Plan: AEDP 2012-2021

Abstract

Fossil fuels is the major energy source to drive economic growth in the world but the most risk for future security and the major cause of green house gas emission. Thailand falls in the same situation when the economic relies heavily on imported fossil-fuels. From the statistic information source last year illustrates that Thailand’s crude oil imported value in 2011 was as high as 927 billion Baht. This definitely results in loosing the huge amount of money and environmental impact of the country. Therefore, Thailand needs effective mechanism to fight against this crisis. The government of Thailand, therefore, has currently assigned the Ministry of Energy to set up the 10 Year Alternative Energy and Development Plan-AEDP (2011-2021) aiming to create the framework and direction for increasing alternative energy consumption by 25% in 2021. This is based on the forecast that the future energy demand in 2021 at 99,838 ktoe while the existing demand is 71,728 ktoe. The AEDP plan - for a resource efficient, greener economy with more opportune investment - aims for promoting the use of alternative energy to reduce imported fossil-fuels, strengthening energy security, promoting alternative energy consumption at the community levels under the green community concept, supporting domestic manufacturing of alternative energy technology for domestic requirement, and last but not least, research and development for the country’s competitiveness in the world market. In achieving the AEDP, strategies have been set out such as, community participation in the production and consumption, more attractive incentives for private investment in alternative energy, rules and laws amendment, infrastructural improvement, creation of public awareness and educational campaign, and research and development support. The AEDP expects benefits from saving 574,000 million Baht on Thailand’s bill for oil import with the private investment value of 442,000 million Baht. The emission reduction commitment will be reduced to 76 million tons/year with additional income for 23,000 million baht.