EGAT aims for GHG reduction by promoting clean energy and reforestation at ‘CAL Forum’
24 March 2022EGAT announced policies to increase renewable energy share in the generation mix and implement the One-Million-Rai Reforestation Project to tackle climate change and global warming as well as to move towards Carbon Neutrality at the 1st Climate Action Leaders Forum.
Mr. Prasertsak Cherngchawano, EGAT Deputy Governor – Power Plant Development and Renewable Energy of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) presented the overall support and promotion on greenhouse gas management in the energy sector to achieve Net Zero Emission at the press conference to announce the successful outcome of the 1st Climate Action Leaders Forum or CAL Forum. The event was co-hosted by the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO), Office of the Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies of Mahidol University, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), chaired by Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, and attended by Mr. Jatuporn Buruspat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; Dr. Wijarn Simachaya, Chairman of TGO Board of Directors; Dr. Phirun Saiyasitpanich, Secretary – General of ONEP; Mr. Kiatchai Maitriwong, Executive Director of TGO; and executives from five leading organizations of Thailand, namely Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL, PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited, Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, UNDP of Thailand, and EGAT at North Park (Rajpruek) Golf Club, Bangkok on March 18, 2022.
The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment said that global cooperation and efforts is needed to overcome the climate crisis. As General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand had announced Thailand’s aim to reach carbon neutrality in 2050 and net zero emissions before 2065 at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, every sector must join forces in every dimension to achieve the goals.
The EGAT Deputy Governor said that EGAT has placed importance on greenhouse gas management. Since 2013, from its operation, EGAT has reduced more than 42 million tons of CO2. EGAT’s policies to achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2050 include increasing the share of renewable energy in the generation mix by developing hydro-floating solar hybrid projects combined with energy storage system, applying carbon capture technologies, and developing smart grid system. Moreover, EGAT has joined hands with partners to implement the One-Million-Rai Reforestation Project to absorb carbon dioxide. It is expected that 1.2 million tons of CO2 will be absorbed yearly by the planted trees.
CAL Forum provides the floor for country leaders, around 50 persons, from government and private sectors, academic institutes, mass media, NGOs, and international agencies to exchange views and experiences on climate change and global warming mitigation to drive Thailand towards Carbon Neutrality.