Challenge of Renewable Energy Transition towards Krabi’s Sustainable Energy City

Abstract

This paper is a review article collecting relevant data and information for developing a transition model towards a sustainable energy city: a case study of Krabi Province, Thailand. An expanding tourism sector in Krabi is increasing energy demand, which continues to grow year after year. Meanwhile, the energy supply of the province relies on the centralization of the southern and central regional energy system to the national grid transmission system. According to the 2018 National Power Development Plan, Krabi is projected to shift to regional grid decentralization; coupled with increasing its power generation from renewable energy with affordability and community participation. Therefore, Krabi Vision 2020, which is a provincial master plan, would lead the direction of Krabi’s plan towards energy transition. Increasing renewable energy investment and disruptive technology to secure the potential of solar, biomass, biogas, wind and mini-hydro is paving the way to shift Krabi to a sustainable energy future. The implementation of a sustainable energy transition across the province, would bring benefits for the local economy, environmental conservation, and energy security. To achieve this energy transition, Krabi requires coordination of smart policy, local and government participation, and sound planning. This review study suggests that the transition towards a sustainable energy future depends on identifying the political barriers, and the adoption of effective management practices.