PEST(L)E Analysis

Legal factors

      For constructing micro hydropower plant in Thailand, compliance with the laws and regulations is the must, but they should not be an obstacle to the project. However, an application for the construction to the local administration can take different length of time depending on each local administration. Also, laws and regulations concerning a construction of a micro hydropower plant are varied from project to project depending on the objective and location of the project.

      Generally, a commercial, renewable energy generator including a micro hydropower plant that is estimated to have a capacity to generate electricity less than 1 mega watt will be subject to the Very Small Power Producer(VSPP) regulations. However, for a non-commercial electricity generating project, it is not required to comply with the regulations.

      Also, for any project located in a national park or preserved area, it is subjected to ask permission from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (www.dnp.go.th) to build a micro hydropower plant prior to the construction as some areas might be more sensitive, stricter and more vital than the other, and the department may not allow the construction of any kind.

      For regulations related to the impact of the micro hydropower plant on the environment around the power plant, according to the regulations of the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (www.dede.go.th) , a power plant that generates electricity less than 10 mega watt is not required to do the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

      Public hearing is not required by law, but it is usually considered necessary to see if the need for a power plant exists in the area or not.