Thailand’s road to sustainability requires a robust strategy to reach its goal by 2030 and plan for a greener future ahead. The use of renewable energy hence is crucial in lowering carbon emissions, strengthing energy security, and ensuring a smooth transition to a circular economy with greener alternatives. The Thai government has a solid framework called the Power Development Plan (PDP) scheduled to be implemented for the period 2024 to 2037. According to this plan, the ideal target set covers that 30% of the total power generated in Thailand must be renewable energy by 2030. A swift adherence to this framework and target could guarantee better results for Thailand’s ambitious goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 and a net-zero target by 2065.
Making the Switch to Renewable Energy
The main renewable energy sources that are now under development include hydropower, biomass, solar, and wind. Thailand’s abundant solar resources position it as a nation with significant potential for solar energy development and the government has incentivized the use of solar power through tax incentives and financial support of projects. For example, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat), is initiating 15 floating solar farm projects that hold a capacity of 2,750MW, as reported by Bangkok Post.
Thailand’s geography is abundant with alternative resources for energy production, albeit at a lower capacity. Wind power projects are possible in coastal and highland regions and small and micro-hydropower system projects are possible at rural locations too. Besides this, as the majority of Thai people are employed in the agriculture sector, biomass and biogas are the most popular alternative energy as they provide a clean energy source and a sustainable method of managing agricultural waste but by 2037, it is estimated that more than 30% of the alternative energy in Thailand will be dominated by solar energy.
Thailand’s shift to renewable energy will result in
1. Expand job market opportunities
2. Create a positive environmental impact
3. Social Development