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«“√ “√ √“™∫— ≥±‘ µ¬ ∂“π ªï ∑’Ë Û ©∫— ∫∑’Ë Û °.§.-°.¬. ÚıÙ¯ 717 Chavalit Pichalai The Role of Thai Energy Policy and Strategies in Sustainable Development Chavalit Pichalai * Abstract Thailand’s energy demand is increasing each year. Measures to reduce dependency on imported energy are implemented to reduce the trade deficit. Therefore, establishing proper energy policy and strategies, together with efficient energy management, is crucial to ensure energy supply security for sustainable growth of the country. Energy diversification is an important means to enhance security of energy supply. Thailand has indigenous natural gas reserves and abundant renewable energy sources; therefore, efforts will be made to maximize the use of our own energy resources. Moreover, natural gas and renewable energy are cleaner energy that will help to reduce adverse environmental impact of energy supply. More importantly, to promote greater use of alternative and renewable energy as well as R&D on technology and utilization of such energy, of which the costs are still high, financial incentives from the government are available, mainly through the Energy Conservation Promotion Fund. This aims to create a greater market for alternative and renewable energy and to make it competitive with conventional fuels in the long run. Key words : biofuels, energy, environmental impact, policy and strategies, sustainable development * Director, Energy System Analysis Bureau Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO), Ministry of Energy 1. Overview on Thailand’s Energy Sector Management In the past, energy management was handled by various departments under different ministries. However, the overall management of the energy sector was under the National Energy Policy Council (NEPC), established under the National Energy Policy Council Act, B.E. 2535 (1992) and chaired by the Prime Minister. To enhance efficient manage- ment, the Energy Policy Committee (EPC) was established to assist with the work of the NEPC, chaired by the Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for energy. Additionally, the NEPC is res- ponsible for the promotion of energy conservation and the management of the Energy Conservation Promotion Fund (ENCON Fund) according to the Energy Conservation Promotion Act, B.E. 2535 (1992). The Energy Conservation Promotion Fund Com- mittee has been established to assist the NEPC with the ENCON Fund management and to ensure that allo- cations from the ENCON Fund are made in compliance with the regula-