The selected municipalities include Sam Ngam in Nakhon Pathom, Kok Kroud and Phimai in Nakhon Ratchasima, Wang Kapi in Uttaradit, Yan Ta Koa in Trang, Klang in Rayong, Isan in Buri Ram, Dej Udom in Ubon Ratchathani, Ban Klang in Lamphun and Singha Nakorn in Songkhla. Local administrations are expected to provide the sites and workers.
The Energy Ministry is following up on the success of pilot projects in five municipalities, in collaboration with the local administrations and universities, to build biogas plants that use methane from sludge and waste.
The pilot projects started in 2006 and have resulted in better waste management in communities as well as electricity cost savings. “Not only are the municipalities managing waste better, they also can produce fertilisers and use methane as a cooking gas in the community,” Wannarat said.
The selected municipalities produce 24,000 tonnes of waste per year out of a national total of 14 million. About 74% of the waste in the target municipalities goes to recycling plants or incinerators and the rest to landfills.
