By the end of this year, the Kingdom of Thailand is going to significantly increase its production of solar energy - enough to overtake all other countries in Southeast Asia (Southeast Asia) combined.
Thailand's energy sector is slowly moving away from natural gas as supplies run out in a decade, making the country the most fuel-imported country in the region outside of Singapore. With the second largest economy among Southeast Asian countries, Thailand intends to avoid such a fate and is already relying on renewable energy sources. This year, the network of solar farms and rooftop solar panels will be connected to devices that will generate about 1200-1500 megawatts. Investments in the project amount to 90 million baht (more than 2.5 million USD).
Thailand's total solar capacity will reach 2,500-2,800 megawatts by December 2015, making Thailand the largest solar power producer in the region. It is assumed that the use of such energy sources will provide electricity to 250,000 urban households. The further goal set by the authorities is 6,000 megawatts by 2036, which will be 9% of the country's total electricity (in 2014 it was only 4%) and will meet the needs of 3 million households.
Despite the great potential of solar energy in Southeast Asia, other countries in the region are reluctant to develop the use of this alternative energy source: only the Philippines has such plans, but they are still in the early stages. This situation has arisen due to the fact that local states have abundant energy supplies from other sources (oil, gas, geothermal stations) or do not find enough budget to invest in the development of new technologies.
See also anekdotig:
- Newsletter: " Peru will provide free solar energy to 2 million of the country's poorest citizens " (July 29, 2015)