Thailand

ACEEE has worked with colleagues in Thailand since 1987. We assisted in the planning of Thailand's initial set of DSM (demand-side management) programs, which were implemented by the Electricity Generation Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and funded by EGAT, a World Bank loan and a grant from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). Implementation of these initial programs has now been completed, saving 566 MW, well in excess of the goal of 238 MW of savings (a final report on these initial programs can be found at www.worldbank.org/astae/dsm_thailand_00.pdf).

More recently, ACEEE has worked with the Thai National Energy Policy Office (NEPO) and ERM Siam (a consulting firm) to develop initial minimum efficiency standards for Thailand. We have assisted with technical and economic analysis on potential standard levels for refrigerators, air conditioners, fluorescent lamp ballasts, electric motors, fluorescent tube lamps, and compact fluorescent lamps. Specific standards have been proposed and received initial approval from the Thai government. These standards are generally not as stringent as U.S. standards, but are in line with the most stringent standards in use in Asia. Many of these standards make use of efficiency levels originally promoted through utility DSM programs. Some of these standards have recently taken effect; others are still under study.