BANGKOK, Thailand – Minister of Energy Auttapol Rerkpiboon has led a delegation to Sisaket province to assess energy security and support troops stationed along the Thai-Cambodian border. During a visit to a military base, Auttapol instructed the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to urgently deliver 100 solar power systems with battery storage to strengthen military communication and enhance national defense capabilities.
The delegation also inspected a PTT gas station and convenience store in Kantharalak district, which had recently been repaired and reopened after suffering heavy damage during past border tensions. Auttapol spoke with the station’s owner and emphasized the need for strict security measures at fuel storage and distribution sites in sensitive areas to prevent future incidents and minimize potential damage.
In the afternoon, the minister and his team visited an agricultural site in Phusing district to prepare for the “Quick Big Win” project, an initiative to install 1,200 solar-powered water pump systems for farmers nationwide. The project aims to reduce energy costs, promote clean energy use in agriculture, and engage local communities in system management to ensure sustainability. The first 50 systems are targeted for completion between October 2025 and January 2026, with the remaining installations to follow swiftly, representing a total investment of over 12 billion baht and an expected reduction of 63,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Auttapol praised the resilience of Sisaket’s residents despite ongoing border challenges and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to energy stability, renewable development, and public safety. He stated that the solar-powered water pump project will help farmers overcome dry-season water shortages and improve productivity across more than 300 rai of farmland. The initiative reflects the government’s broader mission to expand clean energy use, lower household costs, and drive national economic growth. (NNT)
