The U.S. Agency for International Development and Chulalongkorn University will collaborate on the planning and development of renewable energy policy in the Lower Mekong region, focusing on a solar power pilot project.
“Renewable energy is critical to sustainable development in Asia. And Thailand is the regional leader in the development and clean energy use,” Glyn T. Davies, U.S. ambassador to Thailand said. “This collaboration combines the expertise between the US and Thailand for strategic innovative and appropriate value to increase the use of renewable energy in Thailand and the region.”
The partnership between the university and USAID Clean Power Asia will provide information on solar, wind, micro-hydro and biomass power. This information will help the department and other agencies reduce dependence on fossil energy.
“USAID is proud to partner with the university,” said Beth Page, director of the USAID Office for Asia. “We are thrilled to be working with researchers and students to gather information about the benefits of clean energy. We hope that this research will be useful to other countries where there is a demand for clean energy.”
Chulalongkorn University has been commissioned by the Department of Alternative Energy Development to assess the pilot project to produce solar power using rooftop tiles.
“Thailand and the ASEAN region have tremendous potential in terms of renewable energy… (This) should be used in conjunction with other traditional energy sources,” said professor Pandit Aur of Chulalongkorn University. (USPR)
