SolarBangkok 2010 To Show Thailand’s Solar Capacity

Thailand is the largest energy producer in South-East Asia, however they are still forced to rely heavily on imported energy. The Thai Energy Policy and Planning Office stated that energy consumption within Thailand for 2002 was figured at roughly 800 billion Baht (US$ 20 billion). This accounted for about 14 percent of Thailand’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). At that time the value of imported energy was at 37.5 percent.

2007 and 2008 figures, however, show that Thailand exported a total of 773 million kWh in electricity, yet the country imported a total o 129.5 billion kWh. According to these trends, by 2017, energy consumption in Thailand will be valued at an increased rate of about 2.1 trillion Bath, and with those numbers dependability on imported energy sources will also exponentially increase.

Thailand is also currently facing energy security concerns. At present, solar power is gaining considerable interest in the country as the threat of global climate change looms over the world energy sphere. The Thai national plan regarding solar power is aimed at provider a minimum increase of 15 times the current amount in solar power capacity. This would take Thailand from 36 MW of installed solar power to 550 MW of installed solar power by 2020.

So far, a secured feed-in tariff which would give THB 8 per every kwh is already prompting the development of at least 92 solar farms across the nation. These 92 solar farms, once complete, would see an additional 250 MW of solar power come online in Thailand.

SolarBangkok 2010 is anticipated to catalyze even further interest in solar power in Thailand, and is expected to be key to the development of solar energy within the nation. Thai Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, is expected to give the keynote speech at the event which will take place in Bangkok on March 22-33, 2010.

The event has been organised by Thai Energy for Environment Foundation, and is being sponsored by the Thai Ministry of Energy. SolarBangkok 2010’s goals are to work towards a common goal of laying the infrastructure and groundwork for large-scale solar energy development within Thailand.