Solar power the answer

Solar power the answer

Re "PM denies blackout plot" (BP, May 23). It's a shame that a source in the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) blamed the scrapping of two coal-fired power plants, once proposed for Bo Nok and Hin Krut in Prachuap Khiri Khan, with a combined capacity of 2,100 megawatts, for the outage in the South.

In fact, there are many ways to solve this problem.

But the most simple and quickest way to do it is to set up solar PV installations along the 14 provincial sub-stations and connect to grid lines all the way down to Yala province.

These could then be managed as micro-grid systems providing power to individual provinces.

It is possible to install 2,000MW in the space of one year if they are implemented simultaneously.

However, daytime/nighttime load distribution sharing must be based on intelligent gridding systems.

A 1MW solar PV investment costs less than 70 million baht.

But it is a good investment, particularly given the security situation in the South.

Why do we always think of coal as an energy source especially when dirty transportation and operations are taken into consideration?

We all know clean, renewable sources of energy are the best option for our future generations.

VICTOR


Arson sleuths hobbled

Re ''Cops release images of two arson suspects'' (BP, May 23).

We already know that Thai officialdom moves slower than molasses on the shady side of an iceberg, but come on! Three years to come up with photos! Before, during and after the arson attacks, Thai officials are compelled to self-hobble themselves by having to continually check the political ramifications of their every decision and action.

They're incapable of conducting investigations objectively. The best way to find out who funded, incited and carried out the arson is to get foreign experts involved. It's too important to leave to Thai investigators.

KEN ALBERTSEN
Chiang Rai


Populist policies fail

What has populism done for many to date? More subscribers to populist policy seem to be deeper in debt than before, more people who were supposed to profit from populist policies are disillusioned. Many have never received any benefits at all. People are not interested in what they'll receive or benefit from in 10 years from now. Populist policies have resulted in one of the worst rail transport and bus systems in the world because people ride most lines for free.

Little to no revenue is generated for upkeep, updates or improvements. Rice farmers are switching away from Hom Mali rice crops because other types of rice grow quicker and pay more. Water management has been talked to death and conferenced to death, with nothing done except to achieve unneeded and continual squabbling about methodology and blaming others for its failure. Populist policies seem to be a big thing of the past Thaksin administration, but no one has enjoyed any fruits.

The red shirts and Pheu Thai carry on like populist policies are the greatest thing on Earth. We've all been down that path before. The proof is in the pudding as the Brits say. All we have seen over the past years is pretty people dressing in pretty clothes, but dancing rather badly.

YELLOW YARMULKE


Pledging a timebomb

Wichit Chantanusornsiri's article (BP, May 23) about the time of reckoning for the rice scheme rings true.

Equally clear is that the Yingluck Shinawatra government has painted itself into a very difficult corner with this scheme.

Do the boss in Dubai and his servant in parliament see the same clock ticking?

BOB


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