Thai government urged to issue clear policy on solar power

BANGKOK, October 2 (TNA) - A Thai House committee has demanded the administration, through the Ministry of Energy, to come up with a clear policy on solar power. Speaking at a seminar in Bangkok on solar power prospect in Thailand this morning, Amnuay Sirithongsuk, an academic of the Thai House committee on the affairs of constitutional organizations, state enterprises, public organizations and funds, said the local private sector has complained with his committee that domestic investment in solar power has been stalled due to the government's allegedly-unclear policies. Amnuay said that the local private sector plans to invest in solar power generation with combined capacities of nearly 4,000 megawatts, but actual investment and power sales have amounted to only 286 megawatts, and that, if supported by the government, Thailand can depend more on renewable energy. Samerjai Suksumek, Deputy Director-general of the Energy Policy and Planning Office, said that the Energy Ministry is solving relevant problems, cautioning if existing investors appear to be unable to build power plants and generate electricity as scheduled, their licenses are to be then revoked and the government will find new contractors. According to the senior official, the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) has terminated some 120 projects with planned generating capacities of 472 megawatts and returns for generated solar power are being reviewed, as a high return may affect electricity fees imposed on local users. (TNA)