Energy-efficient LED lights up seven temples, cultural attractions at night under “Chiang Mai Light Up”
30 May 2022EGAT joined hands with partners under “Chiang Mai Light Up Project” to develop seven pilot temples along Tha Phae Walking Street to become cultural tourist attractions at night. With energy-efficient LED lights and solar cells installed at the temples, the project helps save energy, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and create new experience of Chiang Mai nightlife for Thai and foreign tourists, which will stimulate Thai economy sustainably.
On May 27, 2022, Mr. Worrayarn Boonarach, Deputy Governor of Chiang Mai Province; Mr. Boonyanit Wongrukmit, Governor of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT); and EGAT partners joined the “Chiang Mai Light Up” launching ceremony which aims to develop the religious attractions or temples in Chiang Mai Municipality with energy-efficient lighting system and solar energy, at Tha Phae Gate, Chiang Mai Province. The public was also welcomed to join the activities of the event held during May 27-29, 2022.
Mr. Worrayarn Boonarach said that “Chiang Mai Light Up” which EGAT and its partners jointly organized complies with the tourism promotion policy of Chiang Mai Province. It gives a new travel experience for Thai and foreign tourists, revives tourism industry in the aftermath of COVID-19, and creates tourism income for communities sustainably. It is also the event that every related agency has joined forces in driving Chiang Mai to be the international tourism and service hub.
Mr. Boonyanit Wongrukmit added that EGAT joined hands with four partners, namely Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Provincial Office of Buddhism, and Chiang Mai Public Relations Office to implement the project which aims to develop the religious places, especially temples, to be international cultural attractions; revive tourist attractions covering economic, social, environmental, and cultural aspects; enhance safety for the temples with beautiful lights during nighttime; as well as promote the use of energy-efficient innovation in the eco-friendly temples to reduce CO2 emissions and achieve the goal of Carbon Neutrality by 2050. Under the project, three kinds of energy-efficient LED that are LED Floodlight, LED Street-Light, and Solar LED Street-Light totaling 106 lights have been installed at the seven temples along Tha Phae Walking Street, i.e. Wat Muen Lan, Wat Phan On, Wat Samphao, Wat Phantao, Wat Chai Phrakiat, Wat Tung Yu, and Wat Si Koet. It is expected that the project will save electricity of 57,800 units/year and reduce CO2 emissions of 30 tons/year.
Moreover, an energy management system has been installed to remotely turn the lights on/off via a mobile application and to monitor usage data. The application displays the on/off status of the lights, electric power, electric current, and electricity charge currently and previously, as well as footage from the CCTV. EGAT will cooperate with the partners to monitor and evaluate the impacts of the project to analyze the suitability and value to be considered for future operations.
Under the “Chiang Mai Light Up Project,” EGAT also joined hands with more four partners, namely Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Chiang Mai Municipality, Thai Hotels Association (Northern Upper), and Thai AirAsia Airline to hold the project’s launching event from May 27-29, 2022, at the Tha Phae Gate under the concept of ‘Charming Past of the Northern City @ Tha Phae’ in the traditional Lanna style. The event included a showing of high-angle pictures of the temple, lights along the Tha Phae Walking Street, and mini concerts. Moreover, for the whole three days, there were the ‘Light Up’ of the seven temples, various free games at the temple fair, and an exhibition of community products. After the event, the seven temples will continue to display the ‘Light Up’ on Sundays and religious holidays starting form 6.00 pm.