Illustrative image (Source: asian-power.com)
The minister said the share of coal in the country’s power generation mix is still low and the increase of electricity generated by coal will help ensure energy security and diversify the sources of fuel for power generation.
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand has drafted a plan to build coal-fired power plants in Krabi and Songkla provinces, but the plan was delayed due to protest from environment activists and local residents.
The energy ministry will conduct a more global strategic environmental assessment to identify a suitable location for a coal-fired plant, the minister was quoted as saying.
Siri Jirapongphana also said that Thailand can be considered as one of the countries with the lowest emission of carbon dioxide.
At the same time, Thailand is also promoting renewable energy. The share of electricity generated from renewable sources has reached 12 percent, the highest among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
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