GLOBALink | Green power plant highlights Thailand's move toward low-carbon society

BANGKOK, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A hydro-floating solar project in the Sirindhorn Dam in northeastern Thailand has brought more than green energy to the local community.

The project is co-developed by China Energy Engineering Group.

After a year of commercial operation, it has also become a platform to benefit sustainable livelihoods as it features an exhibition center and a 400-meter-long "Nature Walkway," where visitors can enjoy the dam scenery and view the floating panels.

With a combination of two energy sources, this hybrid project generates electricity through solar energy during the daytime and hydropower at night, prolonging the continual period of power generation and reducing fluctuations in renewable energy.

Suwita Shotuk, a senior engineer at the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), spoke highly of their Chinese partner.

Thailand began reorienting its power sector years ago and has turned its attention from fossil fuel to renewable energy. The country's tropical location and year-round sunshine make it ideal for solar energy development.

With the success of its first project, the EGAT intends to replicate the floating solar hybrid model for another 15 dams.

The kingdom plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service