EGAT and network partners announced their collaboration to implement the royal initiatives of His Majesty the King for taking care of the society, community, and environment, supporting energy efficiency, and raising the standard of Thai youth; to help drive Thailand toward a sustainable low carbon society.
Mr. Boonyanit Wongrukmit, Governor of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) signed four memorandum of understanding (MOUs) between EGAT and network partners, namely Utokapat Foundation under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King and Hydro–Informatics Institute (Public Organization), Office of the Royal Development Projects Board (ORDPB), Natural Farming Foundation, and eight educational institutions. Dr Royol Chitradon, Director and Secretary of Utokapat Foundation under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King; Mr Pawat Navamaratna, Secretary-General of the Royal Development Projects Board; Dr Wiwat Salyakamthorn, founder and consultant of the Natural Farming Foundation; Dr Chongrak Wachrinrat, President of Kasetsart University; as well as representatives from eight educational institutions signed the MOUs at the Auditorium, EGAT 50th Anniversary Building, EGAT Headquarters.
Mr Boonyanit Wongrukmit, EGAT Governor, revealed that for over 54 years, EGAT has been responsible for the power system security of the country and the transition to clean energy, coupled with promoting energy efficiency and taking care of the society, community, and environment. This covers managing air quality, increasing green areas in the country, and increasing carbon dioxide absorption by collaborating with network partners to implement various projects in line with EGAT’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 and the national goal, to create happiness for Thai people sustainably.
Dr Royol Chitradon, Director and Secretary of Utokapat Foundation under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King revealed that the foundation is ready to work with EGAT and Hydro–Informatics Institute (Public Organization) to implement the royal initiative on soil, water, and forest resource management of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great toward sustainable operation by jointly conserving and restoring the upstream areas of Bhumibol Dam, Sirikit Dam, Ubol Ratana Dam, and Pak Mun Dam.
Mr Pawat Navamaratna, Secretary-General of ORDPB said that EGAT and ORDPB have a long-lasting collaboration. In 2023, they will jointly promote energy efficiency by first supporting the installation of solar electricity systems and battery energy storage systems at four border patrol police schools in the northern and western regions to improve and enhance energy security in education. Moreover, they will integrate reforestation in the upstream areas of reservoirs under royally-initiated projects of His Majesty the King to restore the watershed forest by beginning with Chi River Reservoir and Lam Sapung Reservoir in Chaiyaphum Province, totalling an area of 700 rai under EGAT’s Participatory Reforestation Project.
Dr Wiwat Salyakamthorn, founder and consultant of Natural Farming Foundation, expressed his intention to drive the 2nd Continuation of the King’s Philosophy Project along with EGAT. It aims to develop and restore natural resources and the environment in basin areas relating to the seven royally-named dams and three power plants of EGAT in order to raise the quality of life of the community in the economic and social aspects so that the people can be self-reliant.
Dr Chongrak Wachrinrat, President of Kasetsart University, said that the eight participating universities, namely Kasetsart University, Khon Kaen University, the King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thammasat University, Mahidol University, Srinakharinwirot University, Prince of Songkla University, and King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang will support the 2nd Project of Creating a Learning Society on Energy and Environmental Innovation for the youth to improve their skills, potential, and creativity in developing innovations. The project was further expanded from high school students under EGAT’s Green Room Project who were sent to the university for participating in the contest of “Green Technology Innovation for Reducing GHG Emissions.”
