The government has set aside about 150 million baht to improve 25 old hydropower plants in villages to supply electricity to the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) grid to strengthen supply stability. Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amranand said that 1,500 megawatts of electricity could be generated from the plants, which had been abandoned after the villages where they were located gained access to the main electricity grid.

All equipment including power generation units and transmission systems will be upgraded at a cost of 100,000 baht for every kilowatt produced.

Of the total, 20 plants are in Chiang Mai, two in Mae Hong Son and one each in Chiang Rai, Kanchanaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

In addition, the energy conservation fund has a budget of 22 million baht to help about 100 small businesses participate in energy conservation.

Each participating business is expected to be able to save energy in an amount of five tons per year of oil equivalent.

Dr Piyasvasti said the fund also endorsed 18.8 million baht to finance a plan to upgrade machinery, equipment and materials for 11 products to help save energy.

The products included glassware, refrigerators, electric irons, washing machines, electric ovens, microwave ovens, electric stoves, electric pots, fibre-optic insulators, clothes dryers and coolers. The upgrading will help save 9,000 tonnes per year of oil equivalent or about 2.64 billion baht, he said.

Source: Bangkok Post