Level of public participation in energy projects: case studies in the Eastern part of Thailand

Abstract

Conflicts among stakeholders in energy projects have been more and more increasing in Thailand. Co nflicts arise in phases of project from site location to project utilization. It is well-known in Thailand that a new energy project is hardly constructed without public participation. Currently, public participation is perceived as one of procedures to reduce conflicts and make stakeholders agree on execution of a project. The Thai Energy Regulatory Commission (TERC) was established in 2007 as a top umbrella organization with its own regulations to govern the whole energy industry in Thailand. One of its objectives is to enhance the public participation in energy projects. This research aimed to discuss the current levels of public participation in energy projects in Thailand. In this article, public participation methods were classified into five levels: consisting of informing, hearing, involvement, collaboration, and empowerment. The article starts with a review of the Energy Industry Act 2007 in viewpoint of public participation. The review illustrated stakeholders and method of public participation that were specified in each item of the Energy Industry Act 2007. This review provides helpful information for related stakeholders to realize the method and level of public participation required of any new movement in energy industry of Thailand. Then, eight case studies of energy projects in the Eastern part of Thailand were selected for site investigation and interview. The eight case studies consists of one public IPP power plant (3,600 MW), two private IPP power plants {1 ,200 and 1,300 MW), two private SPP power plants (700 and 660 MW), two private VSPP power plants (1.9 and 9.9 MW), and one natural-gas pipeline project. The results of study provided a list of public-participation methods which were used in case studies. They were further categorized according to the five levels of public participation. Key features of these methods were discussed. The results of this research are expected to be helpful for investors to understand the current practice and for policy-maker to seek improvement of public participation in energy sector of Thailand.