Energy Absolute set to take lead in Thai renewable power

Addiction to fossil fuels has been described as a monkey on the back of economies the world over, but a Thai energy firm is poised to take the lead in the Kingdom’s renewable energy sector with a wind farm named after a monkey god.

Energy Absolute is set to become the largest supplier of renewable power in Thailand, and therefore the Southeast Asian region, when it opens its 260-megawatt Hanuman wind farm later this year. Thailand generates more electricity from solar, wind, and other renewable sources than any country in the region.

Hanuman, who has the appearance of an ivory monkey and a son of Vayu or Anil (wind deity), is one of the most revered and worshipped deities in Southeast and South Asia and is regarded as an immortal god and a destroyer of evil and protector of devotees. Scholars have described Hanuman as a “remover of obstacles,” and obstacles aplenty remain in global efforts to transition to green energy.

Energy Absolute, a listed company, has been striving to make that transition by building and operating solar and wind power plants. The new Hanuman wind farm in northeastern Chaiyaphum province will allow it leapfrog over SPCG and BCPG, two other Thai renewable energy companies, in total power generated from renewables.

The company said it would be generating 664 megawatts of power from renewables by the end of this year.

Executives at Energy Absolute said the company conducted a successful test run of the wind farm in February, and that three of its five generating units are now up and running and the remainder will come online in a few months.

They said additional growth would come from the company’s foray into energy storage from lithium-ion batteries, charging stations for electric vehicles, and the oleochemical industry.