The Overview of Renewable Energy Research Policy in Thailand

The Overview of Renewable Energy Research Policy in Thailand

Tinno Kwandee^1’*, Joseph Khedari ¹ , Rattanakorn Rawangkul, and

Issaree Hunsacharoonroj        

¹ Rattanakosin College for Sustainable Energy and Environment (RCSEE),

Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin, 96 moo 3 Puthamonthon Sai 5, Salaya, Puthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, 73170 Thailand.

* Corresponding Author: Tel/Fax: +662 441 6065, +662 889 4585-7 Ext. 2630,

E-mail:  tinno email : tinno_kwan@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT

This paper gives an overview of renewable energy research policy in Thailand. Nowadays energy plays a very important in the world economics, environment and living. Most political and industrial group leaders tend to do a certain adjustment in the policy and plan for the country’s development along the world trend.

            The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasted world energy from 2009 to 2030 Christian Era on World Outlook 2009 in 2 case studies analysis: 1) Reference Scenario (the government insistency of original energy policy and implementation), 2) 450 Scenario (Every country changes the original energy policy to green house effect policy and control Carbon dioxide not over than in level of 450 ppm). In case of Reference Scenario (in 2030) world requirement of energy is 40% more (16,800 Mtoe). Underground energy is to be used mainly. While in the 450 Scenario case, underground energy can be decreased by 50%. In the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), representatives discussed that in the Reference Scenario case ASEAN needs an energy increase of 76% (2.5% growth per year) while in the 450 Scenario case, energy use growth is slightly smaller 2.1% per year. ASEAN widely recommend to develop and use “On ground” energy (Renewable Energy). [1]

The objective of this research is to overview renewable energy research policy in Thailand at various government published reports and finding agencies and identifying coherence and differences with respect to government energy policy. These include, but not limited to, the National Economic and Social Development Plan (B.E.2012-2016 plan 11), the Policy Statement of the Government, The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO), International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD) and The Thailand Research Fund (TRF). Data summarized includes various parameters including energy statistics, shares, percentages etc.  The main finding is that renewable energy research policy in Thailand needs more support for policy implementation, mainly at innovation level, and chooses of appropriate options and strategies. Encouraging private sector to invest and conduct research with government support such as taxation policy is highly recommended.

Key words:. Renewable Energy Research Policy in Thailand, taxation policy,

Implementation policy