More biogas production encouraged in Thailand

BANGKOK, August 13 (TNA) - After encouraging the production of biogas from wastes which has successfully save Thailand's foreign exchange reserves, the Ministry of Energy’s Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) is now inviting local hotel and restaurant operators to join in its new 82.6 million-baht scheme for the production of biogas estimated at 1.32 million cubic metres annually. EPPO Director-General Suthep Liumsiricharoen told journalists on Monday that his agency's first two phases of biogas production have been successfully conducted since 2008 and in order to continue the programme, EPPO is now requesting a donation for further producing biogas from local manufacturers who have caused wastes and polluted water. Suthep assessed that there should be a minimum of 44 tonnes of wastes daily, which could then produce up to 1.32 million cubic metres of biogas annually worth about 10.92 million baht. Suthep acknowledged that a total donation which EPPO is asking for investment in its third phase, started in 2011 and ends in 2013, is 82.6 million baht, and that during the first two phases, EPPO received financial assistance amounting to 53 million baht, in which some 56 local private enterprises participated. According to the EPPO chief, his agency has also implemented a six-year-programme on producing biogas amounting to 761.8 million cubic metres annually, worth 5.4 billion baht, starting in 2008 and ends in 2013.(TNA)