4. Biomass energy promotion mechanisms
The Energy Conservation (ENCON) Program was launched in 1994 to set guidelines,
criteria, conditions and priorities for the ENCON Fund allocation. The ENCON Program
comprised three sub-programs based on the nature of the work/projects as shown in Fig. 1.
Two government agencies, NEPO (now EPPO) and DEDP (now DEDE) are implementing
agencies of the ENCON Program. Renewable energy funding was allocated under the
voluntary sub-program.
EPPO is the implementing agency of the Voluntary Sub-program. The objective of this
Sub-program is to support and collaborate with other agencies in both public and private
sectors, in order to achieve the following:
† Efficient use of energy in the production processes of both agricultural and rural
industries;
† Wider utilization of renewable energy, thereby resulting in less adverse impact on the
environment;
† Marketing of products and services contributing to energy conservation; and
† Promotion of studies and R&D on energy and energy conservation technologies as well
as the application of study/research outcomes in factories, buildings and households.
The Voluntary Sub-program comprises four main projects, namely Renewable Energy
and Rural Industries, Industrial Liaison, Research and Development and Energy
Conservation in Non-Designated Factories and Buildings. The ENCON Fund Committee
has allocated a total budget of 3176 million Baht [18] for the implementation of 161
projects of the Voluntary Sub-program during the fiscal period 1995–2002. The success of
this program will be discussed later.