In Thailand’s northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani, a reservoir has been remodeled right into a shimmering community of photo voltaic panels - able to decreasing the dominion’s carbon emissions by 47,000 tonnes yearly.
Touted because the "world's largest floating hydro-solar farm”, the Sirindhorn dam venture is able to creating solar energy by day and hydropower by night time.
The 720,000 sq. metre set up is the primary of 15 farms Thailand plans to construct as a part of its ongoing dedication to succeed in carbon neutrality by the 12 months 2050.
"That is the primary and largest venture like this on this planet," says Prasertsak Cherngchawano, Thailand’s deputy governor of electrical energy.
“There are 144,000 photo voltaic panels right here. One panel is 2 sq. metres, and the entire farm is equal to 70 soccer fields."
The Southeast Asian nation is stepping up efforts to wean itself off fossil fuels after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha dedicated to reaching net-zero greenhouse fuel emissions by the 12 months 2065.
Alongside different world leaders at COP26 in Glasgow, Chan-O-Cha said his intention to “ramp up measures in tackling local weather change in any means conceivable.”
A inexperienced shift
Hitting these bold targets would require a significant revamp of Thailand’s energy business.
The nation remains to be closely reliant on fossil gas, with 55 per cent of its vitality derived from pure fuel as of October 2021. This contrasts sharply with simply 11 per cent stemming from renewables and hydropower, in keeping with the Power Coverage and Planning Workplace (EGAT).
EGAT plans to supply 2,725 megawatts of energy from floating hydro-solar farms by the 12 months 2037 - over 30 per cent of the nation’s annual energy wants.
However as the dominion’s inexperienced revolution will get underway, many individuals are sceptical of the scheme.
The €32 million Sirindhorn venture took practically two years to construct - with quite a few delays ensuing from photo voltaic panel supply points and technicians falling sick.
Locals have additionally expressed concern, claiming the farm has compelled them out of areas historically used for livelihood.
"The variety of fish I can catch has lowered, so we've much less revenue," says Thongphon Mobmai, a native fisherman from the area.
"We additionally must journey longer routes after we're out fishing and we will solely drive our boats in areas designated by the authorities. These are the issues we've with the photo voltaic farm.”
Regardless of this, the electrical energy producing authority insists the venture is not going to have an effect on agriculture, fishing or different neighborhood actions.
"We have used solely 0.2 to 0.3 per cent of the dam's floor space. Folks could make use of lands for agriculture, residency and different functions," says Cherngchawano.
In addition to producing energy, officers hope the enormous farm can even show a draw for vacationers. A 415-metre lengthy ‘Nature Walkway’ has now been put in beside the dam, offering panoramic views of the reservoir and its floating photo voltaic cells.
Watch the video above to see the floating photo voltaic farm for your self.
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