Koh Samui, May 2011
According to Energy Minister Wannarat Charnnukul, the island of Ko Phaluai, located to the northwest of Ko Samui – in the southern province of Surat Thani – has high potential and abundant resources for the production of alternative energies, including solar and wind power as well as biofuel.
With its pristine environment, and the absence of any power-consuming hotels or resorts, the island has been designated as a ‘model area’ for the Ministry’s Green Island project.
The first phase of the project will be supported by Bangchak Petroleum, as well as PTT, and Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding, and the initial budget has been levelled at some 52 million baht.
The focus will be on establishing alternative power systems on Ko Phaluai, including the installation of solar cells in local communities, and the construction of wind speed measurement facilities and demonstration wind turbines, along with the development of basic utilities on the island.
In the long term, the project will promote everyday life usage of alternative energy, and encourage people to use biofuel and biogas in their households instead of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Upon the project’s completion – planned for 2015 – the amount of greenhouse gas emission in the country should decrease by more than 250 tons per year.
It is planned to implement similar projects on other islands in the near future. thailandtimes.asia
