Thailand puts alternative energy on Asean agenda

August 5, 2008

Thailand puts alternative energy on Asean agenda
Thailand puts alternative energy on the agenda at the 26th Asean Ministers of Energy Meeting to be held in Bangkok in conjunction with Asean Energy Business Forum 2008 during August 5-8, reported the Thai News Agency (TNA) on Monday.

Deputy Permanent Secretary for Energy Kuruchit Nakornthap disclosed that senior energy affairs officials in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) met Monday to discuss possible cooperation in energy development prior to the Asean Energy Ministers’ meeting.

Key issues to be discussed include promoting efficient energy use and accelerating a move by Asean members to link energy sources in the region through direct power transmission lines and a natural gas pipeline.

Thailand Hote

At present, he said, Asean members had already provided links to nine gas-pipeline routes with a combined distance of 2,300 kilometres to facilitate mutual trade in the natural gas sector, and build a petroleum network among the group.

In addition, they had jointly studied ways to reduce the greenhouse effect, conserve energy consumption, and boost the safety of nuclear energy consumption.

They had also mapped out a five-year energy plan for 2009-2013 to ensure Asean’s energy stability in the long run.

Thailand’s Permanent Secretary for Energy Pornchai Ruchiprapa has been nominated as the new chair of the senior officials meeting succeeding the Singapore official whose term expired.

More on Thailand

More on Asean

More on Energy

More on Ties