Energy powers our homes, offices and public spaces, keeping us comfortable, connected and productive. But as we move towards a greener future, the way our buildings use that energy matters.
GIZ’s Thai-German Energy Dialogue (TGED), in collaboration with EGS-plan (Bangkok) – a leading German energy efficiency consultant, organised a series of seminars in 2025 on energy efficiency in buildings for different building types:
- Sustainable Resorts and Hotels on 3 October 2025 in Phuket, Thailand
- Sustainable Industry and Industrial Estates on 17 October 2025 in Rayong, Thailand
- Sustainable Residential Estates on 14 November 2025 in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Through these platforms, the project team met with representatives from hospitality, industrial and residential sectors. As insiders into how buildings in their respective sectors operate and manage energy, the participants brought real-world perspectives and questions on how their industries could integrate energy efficiency in buildings.
Below are key takeaways from these TGED seminars.
The concept of energy efficiency in buildings: relevant innovation, standards and mechanisms
Robert Himmler, Founder and Executive Director of EGS-plan (Bangkok), together with Prof. Atch Sreshthaputra, EGS-plan (Bangkok) Director, jointly led the plenary sessions as experts on energy efficiency in buildings. This began with a presentation to introduce the concept of energy efficiency in buildings, including regulations, policy frameworks, measures and technologies.
This ranged from, for example, Thailand’s climate goals and green ‘taxonomy’ and the Thai Building Energy Code (BEC), to an overview of green building certification and introduction to global green building certification systems, including Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Thailand Rating of Energy and Environmental Sustainability (TREES), the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) and Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE). The seminars also presented energy audits and green finance mechanisms as key drivers for enterprises and residents to adapt their factories, offices and households towards more resilient and efficient energy systems.
Throughout these seminars, TGED invited speakers from leading international innovation companies to showcase technologies that optimise building energy systems. Schüco presented holistic, full-lifecycle solutions for future-ready building envelopes, while B.Grimm Technologies and Siemens Ltd. highlighted high-performance HVAC optimisation and IoT-driven energy efficiency. Knauf demonstrated how drywall systems support sustainable project goals through green, low-toxicity materials, and Robatherm shared insights on selecting efficient air-handling units to improve performance and lifespan. KSB introduced high-efficiency pump technologies with low lifecycle costs, and H2powercellshowcased green hydrogen solutions for industrial decarbonisation in Thailand.
A looking glass into energy efficient buildings’ future in Thailand
On the policy side, Thailand would benefit from stronger awareness, capacity building and a strategic roadmap for transitioning to efficient buildings. A more robust Building Energy Code, covering more building types and ensuring nationwide enforcement, could drive consistent action. Clear financial incentives and standardised national guidelines, including energy audits, would also help to align with stakeholders.
On the technical side, smarter building designs, renewable energy systems and digital tools are essential to improving energy management and boosting efficiency. The country should also promote green building certification frameworks to maintain long-term green building planning, quality and performance.
By making smarter choices in how we design, operate and upgrade energy systems in our buildings, each sector can play a part in shaping a more sustainable and resilient future.
