Petroleum, natural gas and coal – the biggest source of heat-trapping CO2 – together still supply 76% of the country’s energy needs, latest government figures show.

At the same time, Thailand’s energy consumption from alternative and renewable sources is accelerating rapidly.

Solar, the fastest growing sector by more than 2000% in four years, has benefited from the biggest public and private investment.

Developing economies such as Thailand’s are in the spotlight at a major climate summit in Paris. Wealthy industrialised countries are appealing to emerging economies to be good climate citizens. But poorer nations fear this might limit their ability to grow and become rich.

Thailand, however, is planning to reduce emissions by 20% over the next 15 years. It also expects to double renewable energy production by 2040, the government says.

Responsible for starting this switch to solar power is a businesswoman green experts have describing as Thailand’s Solar Queen.