Towards a sustainable energy future—exploring current barriers and potential solutions in Thailand

Abstract

Renewable energy is considered an indispensable basis of sustainable energy systems as electricity generation from renewable sources results in low emissions of greenhouse gases compared to fossil fuel based electricity and contributes to sustainable development. However, effective strategies and conducive institutional settings are needed for advancement of such clean electricity systems. Although Thailand, as a nation, has a huge potential for renewable energy utilization, its total amount of electricity generation from renewables is relatively small and could be enlarged substantially. Lack of policy mechanisms, institutional development and financing exist as major barriers for Thailand in this regard. Investigation of the nation's current energy strategy implementation shows that relevant energy and development policies are at different stages of implementation and institutional settings are continuously evolving. This paper argues that further significant efforts could be made towards advancement of renewable electricity and thus achievement of energy sustainability in Thailand. Resource planning, effective policy and institutions, focussed planning for energy sustainability and implementation of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol could facilitate further advancement of renewables for the nation.

Dairy Farming and the Stagnated Biogas Use in Rungwe District, Tanzania: An Investigation of the Constraining Factors

“…The financial capital coupled with poor technology (Mwerangi, 2008) and lack of sustainable institutional framework for renewable energy developments hinders the development of biogas. This trend tallies with Uddin (1999) comment that lack of policy mechanisms, institutional development and financing exist as major barriers for Thailand…”

Motives for the Use of Photovoltaic Installations in Poland against the Background of the Share of Solar Energy in the Structure of Energy Resources in the Developing Economies of Central and Eastern Europe

“…These circumstances are key barriers to a sustainable energy transition. They concern both the systemic/institutional level [37,38] and the social level, which causes difficulties in understanding and implementing pro-environmental changes in the directions of energy development.…”

“…Another problem is the low level of environmental awareness and acceptance of the need for a sustainable energy transition [35,36]. Difficulties with the use of RES also result from organizational barriers, including poor support from government institutions and inconsistencies in the implementation of energy policy [37,38].…”

Economic viability and geographic distribution of centralized biogas plants: case study Croatia

“…Farming sector, in general, is a large producer of manure (Jaber et al 2004;Svensson et al 2006;Uddin et al 2010) and thereby also a large producer of greenhouse gases (Fan et al 2007;Bauer et al 2010). Methane production from animals on farms should be seen as an opportunity in utilizing green and sustainable energy (Ucekaj et al 2010;Dikshit and Chakraborty 2006) which would contribute to the reduction of green house effect.…”