A lack of state support and product standards has hindered adoption of energy-saving light-emitting diode (LED) lighting in the business and manufacturing sectors, executives say.
Ronachai Khumpibal, director of Lad Krabang Industrial Estate, said yesterday the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) or related agencies should come up with unified LED quality standards to ensure the quality of the system and alleviate concerns.
Most businesses and manufacturers have been reluctant to switch to LED lighting because of a lack of capital, he said.
"At present, Egat only provides technical knowledge about the adoption but not capital to support the change," said Mr Ronachai, adding that LED lighting could reduce energy costs by 20-80% depending on the industry.
"Many LED companies have begun to offer incentives for businesses by providing free installation and using the savings to pay back the cost. State agencies should adopt this method to encourage adoption."
The Energy Ministry has projected that LED lighting will play an important role in meeting its target to reduce energy intensity by 25% by 2030.
Energy deputy permanent secretary Kurujit Nakornthap said the business and manufacturing sectors have the highest use of lighting. Widespread adoption of LED lighting in these sectors could lead to higher use in the household sector, he said.
"Energy intensity has been reduced by only 8%. That is not satisfactory for the Energy Ministry," said Mr Kurujit.
The achievement is not related to reduction of energy consumption but rather efforts to improve productivity and efficiency of energy use, he added.
Egat governor Soonchai Kumnoonsate said lighting accounts for 20% of energy use in Thailand.
During peak hours, the demand for energy is at 26,000 megawatts, of which 5,000 is for lighting. Widespread adoption of LED lighting could reduce that demand by 40%, said Mr Soonchai.