On February 19, Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban presided over the launch of Phaluai Green Island, a project featuring Thailand’s prototype clean-energy island. The project is located on Koh Phaluai, Tambon Ang Thong, Amphoe Koh Samui, Surat Thani province. Also in attendance were Mr. Suwat Liptapanlop, adviser to the chairman of the administrative committee for the commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Coronation and the Birthday Anniversary of HM the King; Mr. Norkun Sitthipong, permanent secretary of energy; Mr. Krairit Nilkuha, director-general, Department of Alternative Energy and Development Efficiency (DEDE); senior Ministry of Energy management; Mr. Thirayut Iamtrakul, provincial governor; government agencies; private companies; and the island’s residents.

This is a counter-global warming project in honor of HM the King on the coronation anniversary and his 84th birthday anniversary, December 5 this year.

This project is Thailand’s prototype of environmental conservation and first producer of alternative energy to counter global warming, under which alternative energy is derived from solar energy through solar cells and wind turbines, together generating electricity for the island’s consumption, a solar energy-based seafood-drying system, and promotion of biomass and biogas. Coastal fishing boats are encouraged to use B100 (pure biodiesel) so that the island’s residents (about 180 households altogether) may consume alternative energy in a sustainable way, afford a good quality of life, and contribute to environmental conservation. The project initially requires an outlay of about 52 million baht.

On this occasion, Unithai Shipyard and Engineering and CUEL contributed a B100-fired 375 KVA power generator to the project.