The Energy Ministry of Thailand will accelerate its activities to develop and popularize bio- diesel as alternative energy, officials said on Tuesday.

Pornchai Rujiprapa, deputy permanent secretary for energy, said agencies involved in speeding implementation of the existing plan to promote bio-diesel use will meet this week. The ministry aims to achieve 10 percent alternative energy usage by 2011.

Pornchai pointed out that the major challenge facing alternative energy use is the supply of raw materials, as the 150, 000 tons of surplus oil palm now available will not be sufficient for Thailand once bio-diesel use becomes widespread.

The Energy Ministry and the Agriculture and Co-operatives Ministry will together sort out the question of raw material supply, he said, adding that careful study is being given to the option of importing raw materials at initial stages when Thais are developing the bio-diesel "habit."

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said the government is prepared to promote wider use of bio-diesel by granting tax incentives.

Siriporn Sailasuta, director-general of the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency, said her department will promote bio-diesel formulas in agriculture. Farmers in the north and northeast, for example, have experimented with the use of bio-diesel for large farm tractors and the outcome has been satisfactory on the whole.

Local media said Tuesday's move made by the Energy Ministry was in the aftermath of the king's birthday speech on Monday. Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej reminded the government to develop alternative energy sources, in particular palm oil -- which seems the most viable substitute fuel. The king himself is a regular user.

Source: Xinhua