The role of smart renewable energy regulation for sustainable development : the case of solar electricity in Thailand

Abstract

In order to meet the intensifying climate challenge, advance energy security and reduce poverty, the global energy system must undergo a fundamental transformation of the energy sector from a high to a low carbon economy with an increase of renewable energy sourced electricity. The essential approach to facilitate development of renewable energy sources for electricity is a smart renewable energy regulation for encouraging the use of, and overwhelming the barriers to renewable energy sources for electricity. This research aims to identify how to design a smart renewable energy regulation that could facilitate the development of renewable energy sourced electricity for sustainable development by using particular context of the solar energy sector in contexts of Thailand. This research has developed a set of appropriate legal and regulatory framework for the renewable energy sourced electricity development by integrating the recommendations of international policy responses of environment and sustainable development, climate change and renewable energy governance. This research has investigated relevant policies, law and regulatory instruments of a developed country (Germany) and a developing countries (Malaysia) as both Germany and Malaysia have a reputation for regulatory regimes and approaches on renewable energy sourced electricity. The research has also identified the strengths and weaknesses in relevant policies, law and regulatory instruments of these two countries that are enabling smart renewable energy regulation to play and effective role in facilitating the development of renewable energy sourced electricity. This research addresses legal and regulatory framework in Thailand through a smart renewable energy regulation to find out more appropriate design to support the deployment of renewable energy by using particular examples of the solar energy sector in contexts of Thailand. The existing legal and regulatory framework for solar energy electricity in Thailand indicate some potential roles of smart renewable energy regulation for renewable energy sourced electricity development. The research has identified some weakness in Thailand regulatory regimes and approaches to successful design of the smart renewable energy regulation effectively; such as inconsistencies in laws and policies, less of good governance in renewable energy regulation.

Date of Award	2017
Original language	English