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Community micro-hydroelectricity ready to sell but stumped by legal hurdles
Chiang Mai -- Ban Mae Kampong Electricity Cooperative had successfully connected its micro-hydroelectricity to the grid of Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) in a trial run and was ready to sell its surplus energy to the utlity. But some existing laws prevent the coop from earning 10,000 Baht a month from the potential sale.The legal sticking point is that part of the micro-hydro generation asset is owned by the state and by law cannot be transferred to a private entity unless the relevant legislation is amended. Started in 1982, the Mae Kam Pong micro-hydropower project has three generation units with a combined capacity of 80 kilowatts. The project was a joint effort between Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency which provided the machinery and the villagers who provided labor and materials for construction. Thai Net Metering Project is a project of Palang Thai. Please direct energy questions to info@netmeter.org, and website comments to webmaster@netmeter.org. - |
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