From: Aranee Jaiimsin, Bangkok Post
Published February 8, 2005 12:00 AM
Solar Power Demand to Soar in Coming Years
THAILAND — Demand for solar energy in Thailand is projected to soar over
the next six years, driven by the government's programme to promote
renewable energy.
According to a source from the Energy Ministry, demand for solar energy will
increase to 250 megawatts in 2010 from just six MW in 2003.
Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass and hydropower abound
in Thailand and could be harnessed to generate electricity. But so far, they
represent less than a 1 percent share of fuel used in electricity
generation.
The energy conservation plan aims to increase the share of renewable energy
to 8 percent by 2011.
In 2011, renewable energy sources would consist of solar, 250 MW; wind, 100
MW; municipal solid waste, 100 MW; hydro, 350 MW; and biomass 1,040 MW.
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The plan calls for the Energy Ministry to issue a regulation under the
Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) which requires that 5 percent of the
energy from new power facilities be generated from renewable sources.
For example, for the four new power plants to be built by the Electricity
Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) from 2008-2010, a total of 140 MW
out of the planned total generation capacity of 2,800 MW must be derived
from renewable sources.
The source added that the government would provide incentives for the
purchase of power generated by renewable energy such as tax credits and
privileges, and capital subsidies.
Dusit Kruangam, an engineering professor at Chulalongkorn University, said
solar power stood as the best alternative since it had a stable price and
regular supply.
He added that solar power had the potential to generate over 5,000 MW per
year, second only to biomass, among alternative energy sources, which could
generate 7,000 MW per year.
Recognising solar power as the best renewable energy resource, the Board of
Investment has designated solar cell manufacturing as a specially promoted
industry.
Dr Dusit projects that solar cell consumption in Thailand would be around
293 MW from 2004-2010 with a market value of 37.73 billion baht.
"The solar cell market is expected to enjoy steady growth at a rate of 25
percent per year between 2004 and 2013. In other words, the demand for solar
cell energy will rise from 762 MW worldwide in 2003 to 7,097 MW in 2013. The
increased demand will be a reflection of the global realisation of the need
for energy conservation," he said.
He said that the price of developing solar cell energy in Thailand would
drop from an estimated level of 180 million baht per MW in 2005 to 105
million baht per MW in 2010.
Source: Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
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