Thailand to cut energy consumption by 25% in decade

BANGKOK, March 2 (TNA) - The Thai government has allocated a 3-billion-baht budget to run an official energy-saving fund and planned to cut energy consumption in the country by 25 per cent over the next 10 years. Permanent Secretary for Energy Norkhun Sitthipong said that the energy-saving fund board, chaired by Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittirat Na-Ranong has approved the 3-billion-baht budget to promote energy conservation this year. Of the sum, Kittirat told reporters, 2.03 billion baht will be spent through the Energy Policy and Planning Office and 981 million baht through the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency, both are under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy. The deputy premier affirmed that the spending is aimed at increasing the efficiency of energy consumption in by 25 per cent over the next decade, targeting local factories in particular. According to the deputy premier, a 200-million-baht budget will fund research projects on energy-saving equipment and energy crops, including algae, which will feed the production of biodiesel and there will also be campaigns to encourage Thai people to save energy. (TNA)