PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Despite the government’s commitment to Renewable Energy, there have been constraints to the
wider and more sustained application of Renewable Energy Technologies in Thailand. This
project will overcome barriers that currently prevent widespread and sustainable utilization of
Renewable Energy Technologies for the provision of energy services in rural areas of Thailand.
The project will work initially in Mae Hong Son province, which the Ministry of Energy has
identified as its target to be the first energy self-sufficient province in Thailand, in conformity
with the king’s sufficiency economy concept. Furthermore, the project will also work in the
neighboring provinces Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Tak. These provinces have comparable geographic
and economic situations and RE potential. By including these provinces a critical mass is created to
leverage change in national policies and governmental planning processes regarding RE development
and utilization in Thailand’s rural areas. The project will facilitate an integrated RE planning
process at provincial and local level, in order to translate targets set at national level to local
level and into real action. Various new approaches, concept and policies will be developed and
applied, e.g. new ownership models for RE systems, improvements to tariff system and loan
management to be endorsed by the government and applied elsewhere in Thailand. Furthermore
information on existing incentives/policies for RE promotion which are available but
sometimes seldom used will be disseminated and promoted. The project will also contribute to
the broader Goal of reducing GHG emissions in Thailand. The 4 components deal with (a)
institutional capacity development for planning and implementing RE programmes; (b) access
to financing; (c) technical training and education and (d) policies for up-scaling and replication.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more information: https://open.undp.org/projects/00048912