Thailand is on course to become a global production and export hub for alternative energy by 2016, says a senior Energy Ministry official.
Krairit Nilkuha, director-general of the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE), said Thailand had great potential to lead in producing alternative fuel, given its advanced technology and abundance of raw materials, as well as higher consumption of alternative fuels than many Asian countries.
The government has driven the development of alternative fuels since 2004 through measures to encourage firms to invest in alternative energy, he said.
Thailand no longer relies on foreign technology and equipment but can now develop its own technology, equipment and parts, he said.
"The country has rapidly developed after relying on imported technology. Now we have locally made technology and alternative energy production know-how," said Mr Krairit.
The Board of Investment estimates that nearly 400 billion baht has been invested in the sector since the board initiated privileges for alternative and renewable energy such as solar cells, wind power and biofuels.
"Not only are we a leading exporter in Asia of ethanol and biodiesel, we will also be a production hub for equipment and parts for generators including wind turbines, solar cells and energy service solutions," he said.
This year DEDE expects renewable energy capacity to rise by 33% to 3,650 megawatts (MW), up from 2,800 MW at the end of last year.
Consumption of alternative fuels is also forecast to rise by 54% - with ethanol increasing to 2.1 million litres per day and biodiesel near 2 million litres per day.
But the alternative energy sector still faces obstacles, despite Thailand's goal of regional leadership, he said.
DEDE is still in negotiations with the Finance Ministry on facilitating ethanol traders' sales to local food industries.
Food processing is Thailand's main ethanol market but sales are monitored closely by Finance Ministry officials, who seek to prevent tax evasion.
"It is irritating for them [food producers] and ethanol traders to be under constant scrutiny although they are doing business as normal," he said.
Another target for ethanol is to expand gasohol consumption by motorcycles.
© Copyright 2009 by Intellasia.net
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