Published on 13/07/2013
Incentive scheme for solar rooftops ready for launch The Energy Ministry will launch a long-awaited incentive scheme for solar rooftops this quarter, says Energy Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal. The National Energy Policy Council is expected to approve the feed-in tariff (FiT) for the scheme as well as incentives for investors at a meeting next Wednesday. The FiT is the rate for selling electricity from solar panels to the Provincial Electricity Authority and the Metropolitan Electricity Authority. It includes a base factor and fuel tariff. The proposed FiT will vary according to electricity consumption. For households and small and medium-sized enterprises consuming no more than 10 kilowatts, it is 6.96 baht per kilowatt-hour, while the rate is 6.55 baht for those that use 11-250 kWh and 6.16 baht for those consuming 251 kWh or more. The FiT will last for 25 years and only be applied to licences granted this year and next, Mr Pongsak said, adding that the cost of solar panels has been reducing as new technology has developed. The ministry expects solar rooftop production in Thailand will total 200 megawatts. Homeowners and businesses can ask for licences from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), which will act as a one-stop service centre. The ERC estimates the fuel tariff will be increased by 2.8 satang per megawatthour in the second half of this year due to rising gas prices. However, Mr. Pongsak has assigned the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand to resume the subsidy of the electricity tariff for the rest of this year.
Meanwhile, the ministry yesterday agreed to liberalise compressed natural gas (CNG) service stations, which have so far been monopolised by PTT Plc. CNG has been capped at 10.55 baht a kilogramme, but the ministry plans to review the price next year to reflect actual production costs.