The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) has team up with six Thai and Japanese companies to explore hydrogen fuel usage at the Map Ta Phut and Smart Park industrial estates. This initiative is part of efforts aimed at combating global warming.
The Map Ta Phut industrial estate covers 1,112 hectares, while Smart Park, spanning 220 hectares, is being developed to support S-curve industries in the Eastern Economic Corridor.
IEAT governor Veeris Ammarapala said, "This project aims to help Thailand achieve a carbon neutrality target as well as support investors who want to use electricity and transportation which are based on clean energy."
He was speaking as he inked a joint study agreement with Bangkok Industrial Gas Co, PTT Plc, Thai Takasago Co, Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Toyota Motor Thailand, and Toyota Tsusho.
In 2021, IEAT announced it would develop infrastructure to assist renewable energy development, including hydrogen, solar energy and biomass, at the Map Ta Phut and Smart Park industrial complexes.
The IEAT also said it plans to import hydrogen for use in the transport and logistics sectors within industrial parks. In the long term, it aims to construct a hydrogen production plant to serve vehicles used in Smart Park.
Veeris expects CO2 emissions at Smart Park to be 73% lower than those at other industrial estates that primarily rely on electricity generated from fossil fuels.
Thailand is eager to adopt clean energy, especially after the country announced at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference in 2021 that it would be more aggressive in addressing climate change and strive to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
