UK and Germany support Climate-Friendly Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning
Germany and the UK have launched "Thailand Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action" project.
The Government of the federal Republic of Germany and of the United Kingdom together with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für international Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) have launched a new project on “Thailand Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (RAC NAMA)”. By supporting climate friendly and energy efficient cooling technologies the project supports Thailand in reaching its energy saving as well as its climate targets. It supports the cooling industry in staying competitive and will bring international climate finance to the country.
GIZ was contracted by the British-German NAMA Facility to implement the project and was granted funds in a total value of € 14.7 Mio. (about THB 590 Mio.). For the implementation the project will cooperate with a wide range of actors including the public and the private sector.
In his opening remarks the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Peter Prügel, emphasised that:
I am very happy to welcome you here today to join the launch of the RAC NAMA project in Thailand because there is high public interest in this matter. Thailand is an important industry hub in the cooling sector for both national and international companies. To be competitive, companies need to be able to adjust to the changing requirements, among others triggered by international agreements. Consequently, their challenge will be to produce highly energy-efficient and climate-friendly technologies.
Mr. Prügel added:
After several years of preparation, this project started earlier this year and will go on for about four years. It is a great opportunity to get support from many government organisations and industry associations. Our goal is to join forces also with international organizations like UNEP, UNESCAP and World Bank for sustainable development.
The Chargé d´Affaires a.i. of the British Embassy, Mr. Paul Bute, said:
The UK has a strong commitment to tackle climate change and to develop well-functioning energy markets. This commitment is both national, where we are considering how we can deliver net-zero emissions in the UK; and international where we partner with countries like Thailand transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
Mr Bute added:
I am very pleased that Thailand will benefit from the UK-German NAMA Facility Programme. The NAMA Support Project will help transform Thailand’s production and use of refrigeration and air conditioning appliances with new energy efficiency technology and standards.
Mr. Tim Mahler, Project director of RAC NAMA project, GIZ Thailand presented the project objectives and approach that:
On the demand side the project firstly aims to direct the demand towards more energy efficient products by demonstrating best practices of Energy Performance Standards, labels and other incentive schemes. Secondly, the project aims to increase the demand for energy efficient and climate friendly technologies by setting up a financial incentive scheme that increases the attractiveness of such technologies for consumer in Thailand.
On the supply side the RAC NAMA project aims to support Thailand in preparing for the next generation of refrigerants by cooperating with the responsible ministries and agencies in Thailand to define safety standards and building codes in line with international best practices. The RAC-NAMA project will also train servicing staff to prepare the sector for different safety challenges.
Mr. Thammayot Srichuai, Director General, Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE), Ministry of Energy said:
Thailand, Germany and United Kingdom have had good diplomatic relations for a long time. This has led to economic, trade and academic cooperation. German experts have participated by giving advice and supporting this policy, particularly on energy policy. It is well known that the Ministry of Energy in Thailand has drawn up an energy conservation plan for 2015- 2036. The plan has both “PUSH” and “PULL” measures that provide financial support for the fund for energy conservation.
Mr. Thammayot added:
The project is a good opportunity to help promote personnel development, skill training and create more manpower in this field. It will also help support a campaign on energy conservation and change our energy consumption behavior. Moreover, the project will help promote an exchange of knowledge on technology and good practices which both private and government can adapt for proper implementation in Thailand. Further development can be made through energy conservation measures that can lead to lower energy consumption with refrigeration and cooling system in the industrial sector
Dr. Asdaporn Krairapanond, Deputy Secretary General, Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said:
Thailand submitted an INDC indicating our intention to reduce GHG emission by 20-25% below Business as Usual (BAU) by the year 2030, particularly in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy and transportation. In addition, the achievement of 25% mitigation will be made in the help of international support.
In fact the demand for air conditioning and refrigeration of Thailand is growing very fast. This sector consumes a lot of electricity, produced in general by burning fossil fuel that emits CO2. It was projected that, without intervention, this demand will triple by 2030. MoNRE takes over the central tasks in the field of the climate policy and also takes a central role of the country in the development of NDCs and by coordinating with concerned Ministries. Last but not least, on behalf of MoNRE, I am looking forward to working closely with this RAC NAMA project and defining fields of cooperation between my ministry and the project.