Thailand creates new energy office to coordinate with local residents

Thailand will soon open its Office of Public Participation in Energy.

This will facilitate communications between local residents and power companies and take complaints from citizens.

Sarawut Kaewtathip, chief of the strategic planning unit of the Energy Ministry, said the office will function as a centre for public relations and public participation and will be inagurated following cabinet approval.

The office's key duty is to coordinate with all parties, such as the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, independent power producers, small power producers, very small power producers and state agencies involved in power plant development," said Mr Sarawut.

"The most important thing in creating better understanding is that we ask the villagers first whether they want the power plants in their communities. If they say no, the development project has to be scrapped," he said.

"The practice is completely different from what was done in the past. Public participation or a public hearing would take place after the development project had been already laid out."

Thailand has been making efforts to diversify and develop coal and nuclear power, but it has failed to transition to these fuels due to strong protests from residents in communities near proposed plants.

Natural gas generates 67% of Thailand's power, coal 19%, local hydropower 5% and biomass 2%. Imports from Laos provide 6% of the country's energy.

Thawat Vajanapornsithi, Egat's deputy governor, said the new office will help people better understand Thailand's fuel diversification.