Project assistance completion report : renewable nonconventional energy project, AID project no. 493-0304

On the whole, the project was highly successsful in meeting its objectives. (1) It played a very important role in alerting the National Energy Administration (NEA) and other branches of the Royal Thai Government (RTG) to these alternative energy technologies and resources. Within the NEA, a National Energy Information Center has been organized and equipped and is functioning. (2) It linked together the various activities related to supply and demand for energy in an Energy Master Plan which optimizes the use of all energy resources and which has been used in national planning. (3) It developed indigenous expertise which forms a strong base for future energy problemsolving. Four Regional Energy Centers have been created, staffed, and equipped and are doing excellent work disseminating information developed during the project and since. They have held workshops and training sessions on fabrication and use of improved cooking stoves and improved charcoal kilns, and on planting and caring for seedlings in village and private woodlots. Two additional centers have been established with RTG funding. (4) It developed several proven technologies which can make significant reductions in both petroleum imports and the decimation of the forests. In particular, microhydropower, improved cooking stoves, and village woodlots have already been proved of significance, while village energy surveys, solar/wind resources assessment, and improved charcoal production hold significant potential impact. However, water lifting technology, solar thermal processors, biomass gasification, and pyrolysis of rice husks will require either different conditions in the energy sector or much more development. (5) Another major accomplishment was the extensive utilization of local experts. Over 30 Thai experts (retired RTG officials, university personnel, etc.) were recruited. (6) Only in the area of training was there significant shortfall from the planned outputs. There was no long-term academic training undertaken, while funding of seminars, workshops, and special courses was only about 10% of that budgeted. These shortfalls were due mostly to bureaucratic constraints. Further development of nonconventional energy resources in Thailand will depend on their commercial viability vis-a-vis the price of conventional (i.e., oil) resources. The project began when oil prices were high and ended when they were low. The drop in oil prices has slowed down further active development and replication of project research.