Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) conducting business related to solar panels should gain greater opportunities to benefit from the government’s large solar power development projects, scheduled to launch next month, says Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon.
The projects, part of the government’s “Quick Big Win” policy, are expected to generate 120 billion baht in investment and boost the economy.
Quick Big Win is the flagship policy of the Anutin Charnvirakul administration, promoting swift, impactful and broadly beneficial projects over four months before a new general election is held early next year.
He was speaking ahead of a meeting of the National Energy Policy Council on Monday to approve the state’s 720-billion-baht energy development projects, notably solar power projects.
“SMEs will face less [regulatory] obstacles to participate in government projects than previous schemes,” Mr Auttapol told the Bangkok Post, referring to SMEs that import and supply solar panels, as well as those offering solar panel installation services.
In the past, large companies had advantages over smaller firms in the competition for state projects. Some SMEs failed to meet criteria or faced complicated regulations, which hindered them from securing jobs from the state’s projects.
But under the Quick Big Win policy, the authorities are going to launch four solar power projects designed for easier access by SMEs.
“We want to see Quick Big Win significantly drive the domestic economy within six months,” said Mr Auttapol.
The four projects include the development of community solar farms, with power generation capacity of 1,500 megawatts. Communities and businesses are encouraged to co-invest in developing solar farms to sell electricity to nearby communities via the Provincial Electricity Authority.
This project alone is expected to reduce nearly 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.
The second is a drive for solar-powered water pumps for farmers in areas spanning 700,000 rai of land nationwide.
The third is a plan to accelerate the installation of floating solar farms at dams operated by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.
The final project is a initiative aimed at granting tax reductions to 90,000 households that install rooftop solar panels.