The United States and Thailand have agreed to advance energy cooperation during recent discussions in Washington, DC.
The Office of the Spokesperson of the US Department of State earlier this week released a joint press statement on the 3rd US-Thailand Energy Policy Dialogue held between April 18-20 to discuss how both countries can deepen ties on energy cooperation.
Led by Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) Assistant Secretary Geoffrey Pyatt and Thailand's Permanent Secretary for Energy Kulit Sombatsiri, the discussion resulted in both countries agreeing to develop a mechanism that builds on the dialogue discussions to advance clean energy cooperation over the coming year.
The ENR leads the State Department's efforts in developing and executing international energy policy through diplomatic and programmatic engagement that promotes a low-emissions future, energy security for the US and its allies and partners, and economic prosperity through sustainable, affordable and reliable energy access.
Both countries discussed strengthening Thailand's energy security in the wake of global and regional energy market pressures, promoting open markets, and reducing barriers to clean energy development and trade, the statement said.
Both also committed to increasing energy efficiency, strengthening clean energy supply chains for electric vehicles and their batteries, and taking advantage of opportunities for energy-related investment and trade through the US Inflation Reduction Act.
The delegations discussed a path forward for accelerating renewable energy investment under the Clean Energy Demand Initiative and reviewed progress under the Japan-US-Mekong Power Partnership (JUMPP), including the April 6 release of the JUMPP Action Plan and US Vice President Kamala Harris' November 2022 announcement requesting up to US$20 million (676.1 million baht) in additional funding for JUMPP from the US Congress.
Through ENR's power sector programme, JUMPP delivered technical assistance in support of Thailand's plan to expand cross-border electricity trade, renewable energy and battery storage deployment, electric vehicle strategy, market transparency, and more. The two sides also advanced initial conversations on exploring opportunities under the Japan-US Clean Energy Partnership.
Both countries also recognised advancements made from the 2022 US-Thailand Energy Policy Dialogue on carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) cooperation in support of Thailand's emissions reduction goals.
The ENR delivered the first report on April 19 on US engagement with Thailand's Department of Mineral Fuels over the past year on CCUS through the US Department of Commerce's Commercial Law and Development Programme.