Posted on 09 Sep 2009
The Energy Ministry aims to cut the country's energy consumption by another 20 per cent by 2011 to reduce the number of power plants, industrial sector operating costs and the causes of global warming.
Last year, the ministry was able to cut energy consumption in
Present energy usage - including fuel and electricity - was about 100 billion baht a year.
He said the government would encourage businesses to conserve energy and lower taxes on energy-saving products. Energy-conserving businesses would receive tax reductions of 30 per cent, up to a maximum two million baht each in savings.
"500 million baht from the ESCO (Energy Service Companies) Fund will be invested in energy conservation. It could be increased to one billion baht if the private sector is interested in investing more in this business," Mr Wannarat said.
The Energy Ministry together with four major agencies had organised a public relations campaign to promote energy conservation nationwide, he said.
The four agencies are the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency, the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Thai Industries.
Although oil prices in the global market continued to fluctuate, the government would be able to prevent the pump price of B2 diesel from going over 30 baht a litre, he said.
The current price of B2 diesel is 25 baht per litre.
