The country's biomass-fuelled power plants can make money from selling carbon credits following a United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change agreement.

The Dan Chang Bio-Energy and Phu Khieo Bio-Energy companies of the Mitr Phol Sugar Group are among five plants to receive Natural Resources and Environment Ministry clean-power certificates. These allow them to apply for UNFCCC carbon credits.

Carbon credits can be traded, with one credit allowing the emission of one tonne of carbon dioxide.

Dan Chang and Phu Khieo power managing director Sirisak Tatong said both biomass plants were applying for certificates.

"Being certified means the companies can sell carbon credits to Annex-1 countries, which are mostly developed

countries. These nations must follow Kyoto Protocol greenhouse-gas emission guidelines," Sirisak said.

Dan Chang produces 53 megawatts and Phu Khieo 65MW of clean electricity from bagasse - or the biomass leftover after sugar cane is crushed.

Manufacturing plants exceeding Kyoto greenhouse-gas emission levels can buy their certificates.

"Considering the current market price of carbon credit, the group's biomass power plants should generate an additional Bt40 million a year," he said.

It will take the company about six months to evaluate how much credit the plants should receive.

"Selling carbon credit is a chance for the country to generate more revenue. The government will have to accelerate the certification of clean power plants," Sirisak suggested.

Sirisak said India, China, Malaysia and Vietnam were ahead of Thailand in building clean power plants.

Kyoto became effective in February 2005. Thailand ratified the protocol in August 2002 but is not an Annex-1 country. However, the Kingdom can take part in Clean Development Mechanism programmes allowing it to jointly reduce greenhouse-gas emissions with developed countries.

Watcharapong Thongrung

The Nation