Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has given the green light to a plan to build more biomass and biogas power plants in the deep South to boost the local economy, according to deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek.
She said Gen Prayut has instructed authorities concerned to drive development in the southernmost provinces to improve the quality of life for residents with alternative energy touted as one of the development tools.
The government has thrown its support behind building small alternative power plants that can support local development programmes related to farming, livestock, community enterprises and agricultural processing.
So far it has promoted and supported investments in building 15 biomass and 75 biogas power plants for a combined power-generating capacity of 150 megawatts in the deep South.
The projects have created 800 jobs and opportunities for 12,000 more. Community enterprises have invested 10% in these projects.
She said more small biomass and biogas power plants with a combined power-generating capacity of 106.9 megawatts will be built in the next phase, which is also in line with the country's Power Development Plan (PDP) and the Alternative Energy Development Plan (AEDP).
According to the PDP 2018 and AEDP 2018-2037, Thailand aims to use at least 30% of renewable energy sources by 2037.
She said the Energy Ministry is considering setting aside a budget of 265 million baht from the Energy Conservation Fund to the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) to promote the farming of energy crops in 2023-2024.
The government has also promoted growing energy crops such as bamboo, acacia and napier grass as fuel for electricity generation. More than 60 community enterprises have been set up with 12,400 households aiming to cultivate up to 150,000 rai.
Another policy allows low-income earners to use public land for farming. About 100,000 rai will be allocated for this scheme with markets provided, she said.
"The prime minister is monitoring the development of alternative power plants in the region because it is instrumental to strengthening the grassroots economy.
"The government has clear guidelines on how to proceed and is ready to provide support to businesses and communities that have potential," said Ms Rachada.