200,000 households to get solar cells

BANGKOK, Oct 19 (TNA) - Over 200,000 households across the country are to get solar cells for the provision of household energy by the end of next year under an ambitious scheme launched yesterday by the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA).

Kicking off the scheme in Thailand's northwestern Tak Province yesterday, Interior Minister Bhokin Bhalakula said that the project would extend access to electricity in remote villages not currently served by electricity networks.

The scheme will see 153,000 households fitted with solar cells by the end of 2004, and a further 50,000 households by the end of next year. 
Already this year PEA has installed cells in 107,000 households in 25 provinces, at a cost of Bt4 billion.

Mr. Bhokin stressed that the government hoped to ensure that all households had access to electricity, and pledged to distribute solar cells to any villages which had been overlooked in previous government surveys.

The solar cells, which can generate around four hours of electricity each day, are being funded entirely by the government. 

The solar cells are able to power two 10-watt light bulbs and one television at any one time. (TNA)--E006

Last Update : 2004-10-19 / 09:10:07  (GMT+7:00)