PM urges public to help save energy

BANGKOK, March 12 (TNA) -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha has urged the public to help the country by saving electricity starting from March 20 to May 20 for one hour daily between 2pm-3pm. Energy Minister Gen Anantaporn Kanchanarat said Gen Prayut stressed during a National Energy Policy Committee meeting, held Friday, that every sector is requested to cooperate to help saved energy as the peak of electricity consumption is expected at 29,018 megawatts on assumption that this year’s national economy is estimated to grow at around 2.7 – 2.8 per cent. Also, Gen Prayut urged every concerned agency to help encourage the use electric vehicle (EV) in Thailand, said Gen Anantaporn. It is projected that there would be 1.2 million of EV in Thailand by 2036 while there would be around 700 – 1,000 EV charging stations. Gen Prayut had also asked government offices to proceed the solar rooftop power plant projects which could help cut their electricity expenses. The solar rooftop project is for use only and not for sale. Total production is at 100 megawatts of which the state-run organisations- the Metropolitan Electricity Authority and the Provincial electricity Authority-will each manage half of them. Details of the project will be drawn and announce either in May or June, said Gen Anantaporn. (TNA)