Thailand to replace natural gas with Biogas

BANGKOK, September 21 (TNA) - Thai Ministry of Energy announces its success in supporting the production of biogas, while academicians urged for more usage of biogas before the natural gas supply is depleted from the Gulf Thailand within 10 years. Speaking at the "Biogas: An answer and solutions to Thailand's Energy Crisis" on Friday, Director of the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency under the Ministry of Energy, Sittichod Wantawin said the alternative energy policy in the kingdom is successful by using wastes and waste water in the country to produce biogas, which for the past 17 years, the county has produced more than 162 cubic metres a year. By 2014, Thailand should be able to produce up to 185 cubic metres of biogas per year, which is equivalent to electricity worth of 8.8 billion baht, or around 150 billion baht worth of LPG gas, which could help save the environment and reduce carbon monoxide gas, he said. Meanwhile, Director of Energy Research and Development Institute-Nakonping of Chiang Mai University Prasert Rerkkriangkrai said the 10 year alternative energy plan gives little importance to the use of biogas, especially for the production of electricity which relies mostly on wind and solar power, prompting the country to import foreign technology and thus giving the capitalist the benefits. The director warned that within 10 years, the natural gas in the Gulf of Thailand would be totally depleted, affecting the Petrochemical Industry in the country, urging that more biogas be used in generating electricity and fuel, by encouraging more production of biogas from farm produce and chicken farms. (TNA)