Sustainable development Towards_a_sustainable_energy_future_expl.pdf

Towards a sustainable energy future—exploring current
barriers and potential solutions in Thailand
Sk Noim Uddin Æ Ros Taplin Æ Xiaojiang Yu
Received: 20 February 2008 / Accepted: 26 November 2008 / Published online: 17 December 2008
Ó Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2008
Abstract Renewable energy is considered an indispensable basis of sustainable energy
systems as electricity generation from renewable sources results in low emissions of
greenhouse gases compared to fossil fuel based electricity and contributes to sustainable
development. However, effective strategies and conducive institutional settings are needed
for advancement of such clean electricity systems. Although Thailand, as a nation, has a
huge potential for renewable energy utilization, its total amount of electricity generation
from renewables is relatively small and could be enlarged substantially. Lack of policy
mechanisms, institutional development and financing exist as major barriers for Thailand
in this regard. Investigation of the nation’s current energy strategy implementation shows
that relevant energy and development policies are at different stages of implementation and
institutional settings are continuously evolving. This paper argues that further significant
efforts could be made towards advancement of renewable electricity and thus achievement
of energy sustainability in Thailand. Resource planning, effective policy and institutions,
focussed planning for energy sustainability and implementation of the Clean Development
Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol could facilitate further advancement of
renewables for the nation.
Keywords CDM Á Sustainable energy Á Renewable Á Policy Á Thailand
Readers should send their comments on this paper to: [email protected] within 3 months of publication
of this issue.
S. N. Uddin ( & ) Á R. Taplin
Graduate School of the Environment, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
e-mail: [email protected]
X. Yu
Department of Geography, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
123
Environ Dev Sustain (2010) 12:63–87
DOI 10.1007/s10668-008-9180-1

1 Introduction
Use of renewable energy sources is considered an indispensable basis of sustainable energy
systems (Lund 2006 ). Renewable energy systems
1
provide nearly emission-free electricity
compared with fossil fuel energy systems and offer additional benefits.
2
However, efficient
management of energy systems including the advancement of renewables and appropriate
decision-making with respect to strategies and institutional settings is also necessary
economically, socially and environmentally (Schenk et al. 2007 ).
As a newly industrialized nation with a fast growing economy, Thailand could benefit
from development and implementation of sustainable energy systems. They would assist in
meeting its fast-growing energy demand, addressing potential scarcities of fossil fuel
supply and ensuring social and energy security. As a basis for policy development, a
comprehensive understanding of Thailand’s current energy systems including renewable or
socio-technical
3
systems and their governance in the Thai geo-political context is essential.