5.4. Experiments with renewable energy
The aftermath of the controversy in Bo Nok also led to a proliferation
of different types of renewable energy experiments by the
government, community, and private sector. This can also be seen
as a direct and lasting material result of the energy controversy in
Bo Nok, re-making the place in new ways. Examples of
community-led initiatives are two small wind turbines that were
installed on the temple grounds of Wat See Yek Bo Nok, which contribute
to powering the community radio equipment. A third turbine
was set up on the beach near the movement leader’s
bungalow park. Greenpeace also put 16 solar panels on the roof
of a local school in 2004 through a public ceremony involving
monks from the area. Private sector initiatives include an innovative
1 MW solar farm,7 which was finished in 2011. The Provincial
Electricity Authority had specifically suggested Bo Nok sub-district
as a site for this project, because of the past energy controversy in
the area. This shows that the controversy produced Bo Nok as a place
where alternative energy experiments could be developed, even
years after the controversy.