Future of Alternative Energy in Thailand - Implementing Environmental and Resource Management - page 94

Table 10.1. Energy Reserves as of 31 December 2009 (Source: EPPO 2009)

Produc-
tion in
2009

Reserves* Available for use (years)

Energy type
(original unit)

P1 P1+P2 P1+P2+P3 P1 P1+P2 P1+P2+P3

Petroleum

Crude Oil
(MMbbl)**

180 652 821 56 3 12 15

Condensate
(MMbbl)

255 591 677 31 8 19 22

Natural Gas
(BCF)***

11,026 23,692 29,862 1,092 10 22 27

Lignite (m.
Tons)

1,181 2,007 2,007 18 67 114 114

Note: P1 = Proven reserves, P2 = Probation reserves, P3 = Possible reserves
* source of data: Department of Mineral Fuels
** The abbreviation 1 MMbbl has historically meant one million barrels, 1 oil barrel =
158.9873 litres
*** BCF = billion cubic feet, 1 feet 3 = 0.0283 m 3

In October 2008, Minister of Energy, Mr. Wannarat Channukul announced Thai-
land's Energy Policy to deal with the energy problems (see Box 10.1)

Box 10 . 1. Imperatives of the Thailand's Energy Policy (source: Channukul 2008)

1. Enhance energy security to ensure sufficient energy supply for the country's devel-
opment and to increase energy self-reliance for the people's well-being.
2. Monitor energy prices to be appropriate, stable and in line with the economic and in-
vestment situations.
3. Promote research and development of all forms of alternative energy on a continuous
basis.
4. Emphasize the creation of energy saving discipline as a national culture and encour-
age the Local Administration Organizations to be focal points for disseminating 'En-
ergy Saving Culture'.
5. Protect the environment from impact of energy industry, generated by both energy
production and consumption processes, as well as promote the tackling of global
warming and support the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

Within the energy policy the priority was set to 'increase energy self-reliance', by
promoting specific measures for renewable energy to enhance people's well-being
and improve the community. Imperative 1 in Box 10.1. was particularly signifi-
cant, especially for large numbers of farmers in rural areas. Only after energy pro-
duction exceeded their energy needs would commercialization of energy be con-
sidered. In the long run, with this self-reliance approach/model together with other
effective promotion policies and appropriate government investments in renew-