Global Power Synergy Public Company Limited (GPSC) operates under sustainability management policies and social environmental responsibility policies through various forms of social and community development projects that are in line with the business strategy and direction of the organization. The company also focuses on engaging with all groups of stakeholders, both inside and outside the organization, especially those around the operating area of the company for sustainable coexistence.
Management Guidelines For Sustainable Coexistence With Communities
GRI 103-2, 413-1
Strategic Framework on Corporate Social Responsibility
GPSC realizes the importance of having responsibility towards society and the environment, as it believes that for the business to develop sustainably, the community and society must grow together. Therefore, GPSC establishes a community engagement process in all areas of operation (100 percent) to listen to concerns, interests in order to develop and improve operations in the area and coexist with the community sustainably. The corporate social responsibility strategy framework that the company uses is in line with international standards, such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as combining these with its business expertise into the process of developing and solving crucial issues of communities and society overall.
Strategies for creating CSR activities of GPSC are based on 3 important principles, namely:
Must be an activity that is linked to the corporate mission and involves business operations.
Relates to the use of expertise, skills, and core competencies of the organization to pass on knowledge and to further develop communities.
Must take into account the needs and expectations of stakeholders, especially those around GPSC's business operation areas.
GPSC carries out corporate social responsibility (CSR) operations under the sustainability development management policy and the social and environmental responsibility policy through community and social development projects that are connected to the Company’s main missions. GPSC leverages the core expertise and skills of its personnel and primarily takes into account community needs and expectations as well as places emphasis on engaging all stakeholders, especially those in areas surrounding its operation sites.
GPSC’s core CSR activities encompass four primary dimensions: access to energy, quality of life, natural resources and environment, and sustainable innovation, in line with PTT Group’s CSR guidelines and international guidelines, such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Accordingly, goals and indicators have been established for these four dimensions in order to achieve harmonious co-existence with communities and society.
2022, GPSC carried out CSR projects according to its action plan, which can be summarized in accordance with significant indicators as follows:
1. Economic indicators The majority of the economic indicators are derived from projects capable of generating revenue for communities sustainably in the long term. The revenue estimates are as detailed below.
1.1 Revenue from the sale of indigo-dyed fabric produced with chitosan technology from GPSC Young Social Innovator Project = 204,480 THB/year
1.2 Revenue of the Smart Farming project from the sale of vegetables and coffee = 1,602,761 THB/year
1.3 Revenue of Ban Phai Waste Management Learning Center from the sale of products and services = 420,655 THB
1.4 The amount of waste purchased from communities = 2,010 kilograms, worth 1,105.5 THB/year
2. Social indicators In addition to the number of project beneficiaries, another social indicator that GPSC pays attention to is the social return on investment (SROI), particularly in projects with large budgets, which is utilized to assess how worthwhile they are both before and after implementation.
2.1. The number of participants in GPSC Young Social Innovator Season 5 = 447 teams
2.2. The number of beneficiaries from the Smart Farming project = 50 persons
2.3. SROI on CSR projects: In 2022, the SROIs were assessed in 12 projects and ranged from 1.35 to 4.53.
3. Environmental indicators Current environmental indicators are, inevitably, the reduction of GHG emissions, which contribute, however little, to the corporate goal of achieving net zero emissions. There were four core CSR projects contributing to the reduction of GHG emissions in 2022, as shown below.
3.1. The amount of GHG emissions reduced from the LBL project = 152.17 tons CO2e/year
3.2. The amount of GHG emissions reduced from the Seagrass project = 66 tons CO2e/year
3.3. The amount of GHG emissions reduced from the Reforestation project = 524 tons CO2eq/year
3.4. The amount of GHG emissions reduced from the purchase of waste from waste sorting facilities and a RDF power plant and from Ban Phai Waste Management Learning Center = 11.5 tons CO2e/year
4. Business indicators Apart from the three indicators above, GPSC has established other indicators related to its corporate image and sustainability operations, which consist of the following:
4.1. The amount of electricity produced from RDFs = 32,236.61 MWh (Jan-Dec 2022)
4.2. The installed solar power capacity of the LBL Project = 87.54 kW
4.3. The number of employee volunteers and the number of hours spent on CSR activities = 345 persons/1,850 hours
4.4. PR value = 29,688,900 THB (operational budget of 1,923,274.50 THB)* as of September 2022
GPSC regularly supports and participates in various social contribution activities as well as cultural and religious activities organized by the community. In addition, GPSC regularly organizes public participation activities with people in neighborhoods to improve understanding of our business operation in order to build relationships with communities in various forms, including the Side-by-Side Project, tripartite committee meeting, EIA Monitoring committee meeting, community visit, open house activity and public hearing. The opinions and suggestions obtained from these participation processes are important information that GPSC has adopted to develop our CSR strategies on CSR activities that meet the expectations of community and society for a clear and sustainable business operation. Moreover, GPSC has monitored also follow up the outcome results and benefits of occurred from CSR activities to make sure that it is alignedwith the designated strategies.
CSR activities that GPSC focuses on and formulates into a CSR strategy famework are divided into 4 areas as follows:
Power Accessibility
Quality of life
Natural Resources and Environment
Sustainable Innovation
Power Accessibility
GPSC aims to increase the share of renewable energy which is clean energy by developing energy infrastructure and services, especially in remote areas, so that people can have equal access to electricity, thus being able to carry out economic activities and have better well-being. GPSC, as the innovation leader in the PTT Group's electricity business, determined to bring skills, knowledge, capability, and expertise into the development of the electrical systems to deliver clean energy to the community. This is in line with the global energy trend and Thailand's National Energy Plan, which aims to promote clean energy and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to zero (Net Zero) by 2065.
Light for a Better Life (LBL) project aims to support local community in maintaining electrical systems, using skills, specialty, and employees of GPSC to reflect our identity as an innovative power flagship of PTT group. The company has leveraged employee expertise to help people in the community, society, and nation (People of the Planet) in four main aspects: Safety, Saving, Security, and Socio-Economic.
Safety
Improving and repairing electrical systems of public places, such as local schools, temples and medical clinics, etc. to reduce risk to life and property damage from fires and electric shocks as well as repairing and restoring electrical systems of local government offices in case of disasters.
Saving
Modifying electrical equipment and appliances to save energy as well as installing solar power systems to save costs and use the saved money for development activities or other useful activities of the beneficiaries.
Security
Installation of alternative energy system in remote areas so that people in the community and greater society will have a better quality of life and less obstacles in life as well as energy security through such activity as installing solar rooftop systems for hospitals, health care facilities and educational institutions in remote areas, etc.
Socio-economic
Creating and promoting electrician jobs ("Moh Fai Fa") for people in communities by training people to improve professional skills, aiding individuals in the process of becoming an electrician, as well as helping them to take care of their own households and communities, along with generating additional income or continuing to use such skills for their main income.
The LBL project is a strategically important corporate social responsibility project because it corresponds to the business and expertise of the organization, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the global energy trend. GPSC has improved its electrical systems, installed, and delivered solar power and energy storage systems, especially in remote areas and communities without access to electricity to ensure energy security and equal access to energy for the general public. Major activities undertaken as part of the LBL project in 2022 were as follows:
As a result, the installed solar power capacity of GPSC’s CSR projects in 2022 was 328.53 kWp against the goal to achieve 1,000 kWp by 2025. In 2022, the LBL activities above reduced greenhouse gas emissions by a total of 152,175 KgCO2e per year.
Zero formal complaints from communities or local government agencies
Value to the community, society and the environment of LBL Project
Off-grid solar power systems and energy storage systems were installed in temples, tourist attractions, markets, and community clinics, reducing 152.17 tonsCO2e of GHG emissions.
Revenue (from electricity cost savings) from the installation of solar power systems across all projects in 2022 amounted to 1,478,968.57 THB.
The total cumulative amount of generated electricity was 794,710.45 kWh/year (across all projects from 2018 to 2025).
The total cumulative amount of GHG emissions reduced was 171,159 475.76 tonsCO2e/year (across all projects from 2018 to 2025).
The income generated for students participating in electrical system improvement at two local schools amounted to 96,000 THB.
The amount of electricity costs saved from the replacement of electrical equipment at two local schools was 10,497.92 THB/year.
Social Return on Investment (SROI)
Electrical system improvement at Ban Khao Hin School and Rayong Technical College = 2.55
Solar power system installation at Wat Si Saeng Tham = 4.53
Solar power system installation at Wat Chak Daeng = 1.62
Solar power system installation at Wat Rama 9 = 1.7
Solar power system installation at Sa Kaeo College of Agriculture and Technology (second year) = 2.37
Solar power system installation at a total of 18 health promoting hospitals (HPHs) and community health service (CHS) centers in Omkoi District = 4.32
The installation of solar power systems in 18 community health service units in Omkoi District began in 2020 and was divided into three phases, the last of which was carried out in 2022. The project yielded benefits in three major areas as described below.
Quality of Life
Community members have a greater peace of mind when using public health services.
Personnel of HPHs and CHS centers have a greater sense of safety and security in their lives and property.
Personnel of HPHs and CHS centers have more time to spend with their families due to reduced hours of overtime.
Economy
Community members enjoy reduced expenses and opportunity costs when traveling Omkoi Hospital.
The District Public Health Office can save more on expenses for medical supplies, transportation, fuels for backup generators, and unnecessary overtime hours.
The District Public Health Office can reduce unavoidable costs of treatment for critically ill patients.
Environment
HPHs and CHS centers emit less GHG due to the use of clean energy in place of power generators.
Community members and the District Public Health Office have reduced their GHG emissions from commuting and traveling. For example, members of the community commute less to and from Omkoi Hospital, while the District Public Health Office has reduced the transportation of vaccine and critical patients as all 18 HPHs and CHS centers now have 24-hour power supply.
LBL @ Omkoi: From Sunlight to Electric Light
Mannai project video clip
Social Solar Project
As one of the objectives of the LBL project is to fulfill socio-economic needs by developing electricians (“Moh Fai Fa”) and promoting their professional career in the community, GPSC collaborated with Rayong Technical College and Khao Mai Kaeo Prison to train inmates nearing their release in solar power system installation and maintenance. The first class of the program consisted of 14 participants. GPSC has planned to provide job opportunities for them in 2023 to give them an opportunity to hone their newly acquired skills, beginning with training on solar energy system maintenance for inmates in the prison. For those who have been released, GPSC has collaborated with contractors willing to provide employment and mentorship to help them develop their skills and work independently.
Together with PTT Public Company Limited, GPSC has also initiated a solar power system installation project as a social enterprise. The pilot project was carried out at Hua Plee Market in Saraburi under a 10 kW rooftop solar power generation agreement between Sarn Palung Social Enterprise Co., Ltd. and Hua Plee Market Community Enterprise. Income generated from the rental of these systems will be reinvested into other initiatives, such as implementing similar projects in other areas, providing training for subsequent batches of underprivileged individuals or inmates, and implementing other CSR projects.
Inmate Professional Development Project at Rayong Central Prison
Quality of Life
GPSC has established policies to enhance the quality of life for individuals in communities and society, providing them with better standards of living and protection from various hazards, while promoting job creation, income-generating activities, and well-being, including physical and mental health through various activities. Such activities include the "GPSC United to Help the Nation" project, aimed at providing assistance to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; potential development activities for village health volunteers; mobile medical unit activities; youth development and sports promotion activities; Senior Social Club; Smart Farming project; and waste banks and waste processing community enterprises.
“GPSC Restart Thailand 2022”
The project was initiated in 2021 with the aim of providing assistance to new graduates affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first phase (November 2021-June 2022), employment contracts were offered to 25 new graduates at a rate of 15,000 THB per person per month, and in the second phase (January-December 2022), 25 students were employed for various positions at both the Rayong office and the head office in Bangkok. Through this initiative, new graduates not only received income but also gained practical experience and training on the job, which surpassed the traditional internship program offered by universities.
The target group of the Smart Farming project are farmers, community enterprises, and underprivileged individuals. For each area, the task force structure consists of an area manager who is an employee of GPSC and five employees from the "Restart Thailand" project, mostly. New graduates, mostly local residents, are recruited to receive training on basic agricultural knowledge and technology to work on the project. The objectives of the project are as follows:
To utilize innovation and technology to improve the quality of life and enhance the cultivation process and agricultural product development.
To develop a modern agricultural business by applying technology, innovation, and holistic management
To focus on development based on community energy and expertise of GPSC
To take advantage of the production capacity to increase revenue as well as to reduce expenses and working time and increase the productivity of the community with modern agriculture to ensure sustainable self-reliance among farmers.
The GPSC Smart Farming project has been running for two consecutive years, with operations ongoing in two areas: Ban Suan Ton Nam in Khao Chamao District, Rayong, which is GPSC’s operation site, and Ban Huai Khap in Bo Kluea District, Nan, where the Company has been carrying out social enterprise projects. In 2022, GPSC collaborated with the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) to apply technology, innovation, and research by Thai researchers to develop agriculture into a true smart farming system. The technologies and innovations used in the areas are detailed below.
8 Technologies Utilized at Ban Huai Khap Smart Community
As for the year 2023, GPSC has planned to expand to additional locations in Rayong, with the goal of developing a smart farming system for bamboo mushroom cultivation in areas around EECi in Wang Chan, Rayong.
Smart Farming in Bo Kluea District, Nan
Value/Benefits of Smart Farming Project to GPSC
A positive corporate image as an energy innovation leader
Value/Benefits of Smart Farming Project to communities and society
Reduced expenses and more income for local communities
Professional skill development for local residents
Natural Resources and Environment
GPSC recognizes its social and environmental responsibility, particularly towards areas and communities surrounding its sites of operation. To this end, the Company has undertaken various projects that promote environmental conservation, the restoration of ecological balance and biodiversity, and the use of clean energy. Key projects in 2022 include 1) the Seagrass Project; 2) the Reforestation and Check Dam Construction Project, which had been carried out consistently to increase green areas, restore the ecosystem, and boost carbon sequestration; 3) waste management projects, which GPSC had continued to implement and promote in each locality in order to create Zero Waste Villages.
Seagrass Project
GPSC Group, in collaboration with the First Naval Area Command and the Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center, the Eastern Upper Gulf of Thailand (EUMCRC), has conducted research on suitable areas for planting and propagating seagrass. This initiative is believed to contribute to the absorption of carbon dioxide and the restoration of ecosystems and marine natural resources. The project began with the planting of seagrass in two areas: 1) Napha Thara Phirom Beach – an eco-tourism business under the Naval Air Division in Sattahip District, Chonburi, with 5,000 clumps planted in an area of 3 rai; and 2) Koh Kham under the First Naval Area Command in Sattahip District, Chonburi, with 5,000 clumps planted in an area of 3 rai. This project is expected to reduce GHG emissions by 66 tonsCO2e/year, according to the calculation methodology of the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization). Additionally, GPSC has planned to consistently conduct surveys and collect academic data related to carbon sequestration in seagrass ecosystems and biodiversity for future research purposes.
The Zero Waste Village project aims to raise awareness and promote campaigns for proper waste separation among people in the communities to create value of waste and leftovers and to help reduce environmental problems as well as protecting the natural resources in the communities. The Zero Waste Village project is meant to improve the quality of life, along with environmental conservation, in the form of social business or "social enterprise" to generate income back to the communities, while also creating sustainability within the society and communities.
In 2022, GPSC joined hands with Rayong Technical College, the Green World Foundation, and Precious Plastic Bangkok to develop plastic waste processing machines as part of the BAANPHAI Upcycling Model. With the design obtained from Precious Plastic, a world-class plastic waste management organization, the machines included shredders and extruders capable of processing plastic bottle caps into products that could generate income for communities.
Highlighting the success of the initiative, Ban Phai Community Moo 1 in Rayong was awarded the third prize in the 2022 National Waste-Free Community Project by the Department of Quality and Environment Promotion, as well as numerous other accolades at the provincial level.
Furthermore, GPSC has provided education to communities on non-recyclable waste that has a high calorific value and can be used as fuel for refuse-derived fuel (RDF) power plants, such as plastic bags and envelopes. GPSC has also purchased RDFs from four waste bank community enterprises to increase income for the communities and remove waste from their work environment, thus reducing pollution and its potential impact on operators.
Summary of the outcomes of the Zero Waste Village Project (Ban Phai Community)
The income of Ban Phai Waste Management Learning Center (from the waste bank, the sale of processed waste, speaking engagements, and welcoming visitors) amounted to 420,655 THB, an increase from 131,588 THB in 2021.
The amount of waste was reduced by 5,124 kilograms.
The amount of RDFs with high calorific values purchased from four waste bank community enterprises was 2,010 kilograms, equivalent to GHG emissions of 875 Kg/CO2e prevented or growing 121 trees (based on the calculation of Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization)
The amount of GHG emissions reduced through the purchase of waste of RDF power plants and Ban Phai Waste Management Learning Center = 11.5 tonsCO2e/year.
Value and Benefits of the Zero Waste Village Project to GPSC
Community satisfaction score of 78%
Good relationships with local communities
Efficient waste segregation, resulting in efficient production of fuel from community waste
Value and Benefits of Zero Waste Village Project to Communities and Society
Greater awareness of waste segregation in local communities and students
Promotion of efficient use of resources and reduced environmental impacts
Additional sources of livelihood and income for community members
Social return on investment (SROI) = 2.21
ข่าวส่งมอบนวัตกรรมแปรรูปขยะ
Innovation
As the innovative power flagship of PTT, GPSC recognizes the significance of innovation for organizational development and has thus actively promoted the adoption of innovations both in business operations and society in response to rapid changes in the world today. As the Company believes that social innovation, which has garnered tremendous attention across the world, will be able to address and solve social issues as well as enhance the quality of life for people, it will apply innovative technologies and concepts.
The GPSC Young Social Innovator (YSI) project started in 2018 in the form of innovative training and competition camp for high school youths or their equivalent in the eastern region. There were 39 teams applying for the competition. Due to the success of the newly launched project, in which one silver medal and one special award won from the Seoul International Invention Fair (SIIF), GPSC then expanded the target groups of YSI project in 2019 by including more youth. This expansion was made possible by raising the competition from a regional level to the national level, leading to the 2nd year, where 158 youth teams applied to join the program. The work of the second generation of youth was even more evident, despite the novel coronavirus epidemic or COVID-19, which has caused nearly all platforms to have been canceled or required to be reverted to an online platform during the international innovation competition, which is a show of the skills and potential of the Thai youth. Nevertheless, the work of the Thai youth in the GPSC YSI project was still evident on the international stage despite all such challenges since one gold and one special award were received from the International British Inventions, Innovation Exhibition (IBIX) and two gold, one silver, and three special awards were obtained in the World Invention Innovation Contest (WIC)
From the huge success of GPSC YSI Season 2 Project in 2019, GPSC determined to upgrade the project to a training camp that cultivated innovative skills and fostered a new generation of innovators for Thailand. In 2020 GPSC received a royal grace from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn who awarded a trophy for GPSC YSI 2020 as a grand prize for the competition in the 3rd year, making the project drawing more attention from youth all over the country and over 303 teams applied for the project.
Currently, GPSC Young Social Innovator is in its fifth year. Held in the metaverse, the competition welcomed three categories of entries: products, inventions, and processes and services, and a total of 454 entries were submitted. The three winners of GPSC Young Social Innovator 2022 across the categories were given the grand trophies bestowed by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
Overall, GPSC Young Social Innovator has seen a consistent rise in the number of young participants through the years, with up to 10 entries further developed for patent and petty patent application. The project has received more than 22 international innovation awards and has yielded a higher social return on investment (SROI), with the SROI for the most recent yar rising to 2.11.
However, competition is not the real goal of the YSI project, as GPSC aims to promote youth to value their social community by bringing invention and innovations to develop and improve the quality of life in their own communities in this 4.0 era and from 4 years of the project's implementation. In addition to the awards from the international innovation competitions, which made the skill, commitment and academic achievement of the Thai youth clearly evident, GPSC YSI participants have also transferred and applied scientific knowledge and innovations for community development as per the examples below:
Adding value to germinated rice to also act as a deodorizing product through a scientific process, where the knowledge of such is transferred to the community by using raw materials from the community itself, distributing and generating income, creating a career both directly and indirectly for the people in the community.
Processing agricultural wastes into paper and developing such into various types of packaging which, in addition to transferring knowledge and increasing income of people in the communities, is also indirectly raising awareness of the preservation of natural resources and the environment of people in the community.
Processing of food waste from the community's food production process (fermented fish sauce) is an acid for the rubber production process that reduces the use of harmful chemicals and increases the weight of the rubber even more. Consequently, the quality of rubber has been improved and can be sold at a higher price as well.
The application of chitosan to local textile production has increased the lifespan of indigo-dyed and other local fabrics, made the dyeing process more convenient, and helped the color of the dye last longer, thus improving the overall quality of local products.
A serum from bamboo mushrooms, also known as B-mushroom serum, has been developed and FAO-registered under the brand Nuallaor and is now available for sale.
GPSC believes that just as talent must be guided by integrity, good innovators must produce work that benefit communities, society, and the nation.
Value to GPSC
Good relationships between GPSC, schools, communities, and the general public
Development of personnel in areas related to the business
PR value of 1.2 million THB
Value to Communities and Society
Access to educational opportunities
Better quality of life in communities and projects that can help solve social, economic, and environmental problems in accordance with the targets of GPSC’s quality of life improvement strategies on the basis of participation and corporate governance in a balanced manner
Personnel with knowledge and expertise for the development of innovation beneficial to society, communities, and the environment
As for GPSC’s CSR performance in 2022, it was found that the Company exceeded most of the established targets. The community satisfaction score rose from 75% to 78%. The amount of GHG emissions reduced through its CSR activities was 757 tonsCO2e/year against the goal of 100 tonsCO2e/year. In terms of providing communities with greater access to renewable energy through solar power systems installation, the total maximum production capacity (across all projects from 2018 to 2022) stood at 328.53 kW compared to the target of 1,000 kW by 2025. The social returns of investment (SROIs) across 12 projects/activities ranged between 1.35-4.35. The 12 projects/activities consisted of the following:
Overall, GSPC’s performance exceeded the established targets. However, the Company remains committed to further improving its CSR operation and will set even more challenging targets in support of its vision to become a leading organization in sustainable innovation in the electricity business at both regional and global levels.
Type of Social Activities Contribution
Unit
2022
Cash Contributions
THB
16,023,929
Time: employee volunteering during paid working hours
The content above is based on sustainability reporting standards by The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI Standards), and externally validated and verified for accuracy of the reporting data at "Limited Assurance" level
