DEDE had provided support for renewable energy applications in Royal Initiative Projects under the Royal Forest Department across 10 provinces: Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Tak, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phrae, Nan, Saraburi, and Loei, in Royal Project Foundation areas the Office of the Royal Development Projects Board (ORDPB), and Center for Promotion and Development of Forestration for Income Generation according to the Royal Initiative.

        The support included various renewable energy technologies, such as solar-powered water pumping systems (Fig 4.1), parabolic solar dryer greenhouse, solar power generation systems for refrigerated rooms, mini-grid power generation systems, public lighting power systems, chicken grilling stoves, mushroom steaming stoves, based on the suitability of each area.

        The expected outcomes from these projects will benefit around 10,000 households with over 53,000 residents in the designated areas, helping them reduce energy expenses including electricity costs and fuel costs such as diesel, LPG, firewood, and charcoal. This was estimated to generate energy savings of approximately 1.52 ktoe/year, valued at over 62 million THB annually. Additionally, these initiatives were expected to increase farmers’ income by approximately 78 million THB per year and helped reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by approximately 4,700 tons per year.