Thailand News Brief and Action Alert

Thailand Policy Recommendations

July 28, 2019July 28, 2019

Spotlight Activity: Thailand Policy Recommendations

Thailand’s NDC targets have been recognized as un-ambitious and the country still has a long way to go in order to achieve the 1.5oC below target by 2030. To achieve the 1.5oC below target by 2030 Thailand needs to take the following steps.

Policy Recommendations

  1. The development and implementation of a well-developed renewable energy and coal phase-out plan

Thailand’s “4.0” model, which was developed by the Thailand Government in 2016, will be essential for phasing out Thailand’s coal-based power. The Thailand “4.0” model aims to transform “Thailand into a high-income country through an economy centered around knowledge, innovation, and value addition”. The Thailand “4.0” model is based on the principles of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. At present, the Thailand “4.0” model is already being implemented in the country through “approximately 10 GW of renewable energy capacity, a mature framework on energy efficiency, a supportive environment for distributed power generation, pilot programmes on smart grids and digital platforms, and funding for research and development in energy storage”. 

To achieve the Thailand “4.0” model, an integrated energy roadmap is in place, “which combines ambitious long-term goals on renewable energy, energy efficiency, smart grids, and the broader power, natural gas, and oil sectors”.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been instrumental in helping Thailand to implement the “4.0” model. Under the Thailand “4.0” model, the government has also proposed plans to restrict the financing of coal-based projects. Here, the Thai government will work hand-in-hand with the Asian Development Bank to restrict financing on coal-based projects and at the same time boost investments in renewable energy projects. 

To enhance the growth of renewable energy in Thailand, the ADB has financed the country’s first solar and wind generation plants. Similarly, ADB has recently invested around 5 billion Thai Baht (around $155 million in US currency) for the certification of climate bonds in Thailand. Finally, by investing in certified climate bonds, the ADB has paved the way “for attracting new sources of financing, including pension funds and climate finance, to support power sector infrastructure needs”. 

  1. Stronger International Climate Change Partnerships 

Thailand’s partnership with other countries will in turn help achieve the 1.5oC below target by 2030 by bringing in more investments, innovations and advanced technologies through which greenhouse gas emissions reduction can be achieved more efficiently at a larger-scale.

  1. Expand Thailand’s Clean Transportation System

The transportation sector contributes around 19.2% of total greenhouse gas emissions in Thailand. Different projects are being put in place to build a clean transportation system in Thailand. In this regard, Thailand plans to expand its train and metro rail connectivity across the Bangkok metropolitan region. Expansion of metro rail will in turn decrease the number of vehicles on roads as more commuters will travel by metro on a daily basis. Thailand is also the first country in the region to implement a CO2 based motor vehicle excise tax. 

  1. Enhance Energy Efficiency

The new Power Development Plan (PDP) was formulated in Thailand in 2018 and will be effective from the second quarter of 2019. Under the Plan the majority of Thailand’s power will be generated by non-fossil fuel sources by 2037 and only 12% of power will be generated by coal-based power plants. 

Once the new PDP is implemented, four other plans, which are proposed, will be implemented and integrated under the new PDP. These plans include oil management, natural gas supply, alternative energy development, and energy savings and efficiency. The new PDP, along with these four proposed plans will be integrated under Thailand’s energy reform plan. 

Activity Rating: ** Standing Still

To meet the new IPCC 1.5oC 2030 target, much more needs to be done. A strong roadmap needs to be in place that revises Thailand’s INDC targets and make necessary amendments to it. Finally, the roadmap should also formulate measures for phasing out coal-based sources and promote the growth of renewable energy sources. 

Take Action

Please send the following message to the policymaker(s) below. 

To help Thailand in successfully achieving its INDC targets by 2030, you can contact the members of the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency, Ministry of Energy, Thailand with the following Action Alert message:

We thank the Government of Thailand for taking steps to curb greenhouse gas emissions in the country. The new Power Development Plan will be a significant step in this regard and will greatly help in achieving Thailand’s INDC commitments. To successfully achieve Thailand’s INDC targets, much more still remains to be done. Here, your role will be vital. As a prominent member of the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency, Ministry of Energy, I request you kindly to consider some recommendations. My first recommendation is that you make necessary amendments to the INDC targets established by Thailand. Another recommendation will be to facilitate new feed-in tariff schemes for promoting the growth of renewable energy across the country and developing measures for phasing out coal-based sources. Finally, emission reduction projects should be implemented at national and regional-levels for facilitating the creation of a clean transportation system and for enhancing energy efficiency under the new PDP.

Send Action Alert Message to:

Mr. Yongyut Jantararotai

Director General

Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency, Ministry of Energy

17 Rama 1 Rd, Kasatsuk Bridge,

Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330

Thailand,

Telephone: +662-223-0021-9, Ext: 1021

Email: yongyutJ2@gmail.com

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