![A street light bulb being replaced at Ratchadamnoen Avenue. Better Care MEA is unable to compete with private service providers. SEKSAN ROJJANAMETAKUN](https://static.bangkokpost.com/media/content/dcx/2017/04/26/2295958.jpg)
The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) is considering a plan to privatise its electricity-related service provider division to tap into rising demand.
Wilas Chaloeysat, director of the electricity service and power quality department, said the MEA is still evaluating whether to privatise the Energy Solution Department, which was recently renamed as Better Care MEA.
If approved, the privatisation is expected to take place by October, he said.
Electricity-related services provided by Better Care MEA cover energy saving and efficiency consumption, energy service company and renewable power project development.
Mr Wilas said the services received great demand from consumers thanks to businesses' and state agencies' own cost-cutting programmes, as well as financial support from the Energy Conservation Fund.
Better Care MEA was separated from MEA in October last year in order to differentiate electricity services out of MEA's core business of transmitting power in the Bangkok metropolitan area.
Under existing MEA regulations, Better Care MEA cannot compete with other private electricity service providers because of legal constraints, as it is technically still part of the bureaucratic system.
Mr Wilas said the country's policymakers have been focusing on energy saving and efficient energy consumption over the past few years by launching projects as well as funds and soft loans of almost 6 billion baht to be lent to state agencies through commercial banks.
Since its launch last year, Better Care MEA has had more than 20 projects on hand from almost 20 state agencies, state enterprises and private firms.
In the long term, MEA plans to be a contractor and an operator of solar power programmes after years of providing construction services.
The MEA expects to get a warm welcome from consumers since solar power and solar rooftops have become more popular and the government is about to free up more players to develop solar rooftop and farm projects.
Mr Wilas said the energy service is a business with strong potential in Thailand because energy policymakers plan to enhance energy efficiency and save energy under the 2015-2036 plan by 30% over the next two decades.
MEA's Esco is a prominent solar panel rooftop and light-emitting diode provider, and is seen to have high potential for after sales services.
MEA yesterday delivered its contractor service for a 2.2-megawatt solar rooftop at Chaeng Wattana Government Complex in Laksi, which is managed by Thanarak Asset Development, a wholly-owned entity of the Treasury Department.
Mr Wilas said solar rooftops are experiencing a rising trend as the vast majority of individuals and firms try to reduce energy costs.