(From left) Mr. Thomas Chrometzka, Director Renewable Energy, GIZ Thailand Dr. Christine Falken-Grosser, Counsellor, Economic and Commercial Affairs, German Embassy Thailand Mr. Roya Juntaratana, Inspector General, Ministry of Energy (MoEN) Mr. Kanapong Tepakorn, Expert on Energy Strategy (Director) Office of Public Participatory Promotion, Ministry of Energy (MoEN) and Mr. Marius Mehner, Deputy Executive Director, German-Thai Chamber of Commerce

On 8 February 2018, representatives from more than 10 communities throughout Thailand received technical training from international renowned experts on how to implement sustainable energy projects in their provinces. “The 3rd Community-Based Renewable Energy Conference supports communities in developing their energy usage in a self-sustaining manner,” explained Roya Juntaratana, Inspector General, Ministry of Energy (MoEN) in his opening remarks, adding that the cooperation between MoEN and GIZ has facilitated the development of appropriate community-based business models and renewable energy action plans for Thai communities.

“Several international experts are here to meet with the communities and share their experiences with regard to solar rooftop implementation, battery storage, solar pumping and renewable energy hybrid grids. “To come into line with the SDG goals, the Ministry of Energy has incorporated the 7th goal of affordable and clean energy in its policy planning,” Mr. Juntaratana explained. “The technologies discussed at the conference will help the communities to achieve these goals.

“Access to sustainable energy sources for everyone is a key objective for Thailand. This conference enables dialogue and knowledge sharing between communities and technology providers in order to develop the adoption of renewable energy as a sustainable energy source in Thailand,” said Mr.  Thomas Chrometzka, Director Renewable Energy, GIZ Thailand. GIZ and MoEN support the communities with technical advice especially through designing suitable community-based business models that are necessary to trigger investments in projects on the ground.

More than 150 representatives from communities, provinces, government agencies and the private sector discussed challenges and drafted ideas for concrete projects in Thailand. Three working groups on the topics of Solar PV rooftop systems, RE-hybrid systems on islands and solar water pumping systems provided a platform for communities to share their experiences and for Thai and German industry experts to give input and suggestions to the participants on how to design feasible projects and present the available technical solutions. Challenges in RE project development, implementation and operation discussed in the working groups were addressed in four technical hands-on mini training sessions facilitated by experts from specialised companies.

The “3rd Thai-German Community-based Renewable Energy Conference 2018” was jointly hosted by the Thai Ministry of Energy (MoEN) and GIZ to encourage the exploration of the opportunities for renewable energy technology adoption in Thai communities. The conference was organised in the context of the Project Development Programme (PDP) which is implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). More information on the project can be found here.