Saha Group, a leader in industrial sustainability, reveals Thailand’s first floating solar power system in an industrial park at Saha Group Industrial Park Sriracha, as a model project supported by the Government of Japan to facilitate the reduction of greenhouse gas globally
Saha Group, a leading industrial development investor in Sriracha-Laem Chabang area of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), in a launch event presided over by Chairman Boonsithi Chokwatana, revealed its floating solar power project, which is the first in an industrial park in Thailand and a model for utilising a reservoir for higher quality of life in an industrial park with attention to its people, community members and the environment. The project is part of Saha Group’s renewable energy plan for Saha Group Industrial Park Sriracha and a collaboration with Impact Electrons Siam Co., Ltd. through its solar power business arm Impact Solar Limited, under Saha Group’s vision for sustainability through improving quality of life, delivering quality products produced with clean energy, and creating a good society. It will also help reinforce the strength of Saha Group’s products in using clean energy in production.
Mr. Vichai Kulsomphob, President and CEO of Saha Pathana Inter-Holding Public Co. Ltd., said, “Saha Group sees the importance of renewable energy business and views that the investment in clean energy for the industrial park will lead to sustainability and better quality of life under a vision to develop and deliver quality products and create a good society. This is a long-term renewable energy project in which Saha Group joins hands with Impact Electrons Siam Co., Ltd. through its solar power business arm Impact Solar Limited, which has an expertise in the technology and a shared goal. Together we have invested in the solar rooftop business to provide green electron to a smart energy grid, which will provide energy security for factories in the park and help them reduce their electricity expenses and better manage their costs and deliver quality products.”
Mr. Vichai said, “We do not intend for this to be a mere CSR program but a real solar power project that can truly help create a good environment for the community in the long run. In fact, it is the only project to receive support from the Japanese government under the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) as it is a model for integrated renewable technology in an industrial park that can reduce greenhouse gas emission. We have already installed solar rooftops at 10 factories and planned for many more, which in total have generated over 15 megawatts of electricity. About 20% of power used in the industrial park comes from green electron. This means we are removing over 6,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emission per year, which helps create a good environment for the community.”
Mr. Somboon Lertsuwannaroj, Managing Director of Impact Solar Limited, said, “The latest floating solar technology is part of the solar power project utilising the reservoir of this industrial park. It will be a model for clean energy production that directly supplies the power grid of the park. As we planned the installation, we decided to prioritise quality and versatility of usage. For solar cells, a key component of the system, we chose technologies from companies which are the top market leaders in Japan, China and the US. We also selected the world’s No. 1 producer of floating materials. We intend for this project to run for a very long time and we pay great attention on choosing the best technologies.”
Mr. Vichai said, “We hope the solar energy project in Saha Group Industrial Park Sriracha will be a model for the public and private sectors, including other industrial estates, to follow. We want to demonstrate that renewable energy can not only reduce business costs but also greenhouse gas emissions which will benefit society and the environment in a sustainable way. Saha Group will continue to develop the industrial park with new ideas and actions. Our ambition is to create a smart city which can support high quality of life for our partners and communitues. Aside from energy, we plan to develop mobility and communication technology and look to adopt new business models to help our partners grow with us in the long run.”
