Hydrogen the way for Thailand to achieve net-zero carbon emission goal

Speaking at the seminar "Hydrogen, an alternative energy to cope with climate change" on June 13, Piyabut Charuphen, the managing director of Bangkok Industrial Gas (BIG), said the company was promoting the use of hydrogen in a bid to reduce carbon emissions.

BIG is partnering PTT Group and Toyota on the development and promotion of hydrogen in the transport sector, he said.

The government should promote the use of hydrogen, so the fuel would be used widely and people should become aware of this energy source, he said.

The adoption of hydrogen is important for Thailand to achieve its net-zero goal in 2065, as this fuel is accepted globally, he said, adding that Thailand should work on this issue quickly because investments would take up to five years.

Apart from the industrial and transport sectors, Piyabut said hydrogen could be adopted in the energy sector for electricity-generation instead of natural gas.

He said many countries had used hydrogen for electricity generation as it did not emit carbon dioxide. He added that the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand is studying the use of hydrogen to produce electricity.

However, he urged the government to promote the use of hydrogen in order to reduce its cost, such as launching rules and measures to encourage people to use hydrogen, similar to its initiatives on electric vehicles.

The government currently levies taxes on hydrogen investors, he added.

If the government lends its support, investments and production could be speeded up, he said, adding that hydrogen is one of the alternative energies which could drive Thailand towards sustainability.

He said the plan of the Energy Policy and Planning Office to set up a hydrogen valley in the Eastern Economic Corridor was a good initiative, as it would help create a cluster of producers and consumers, resulting in economic growth and a decline in carbon dioxide emissions.