GPSC and INSEE Ecocycle have signed an MOU about the projects of refuse derived fuel (RDF) power plants and recycling plants for the waste from solar panels and batteries with an intention to cope with a large amount of solid waste caused by the expired solar panels and batteries in the future. This collaboration is also aimed to prevent environmental impact, add more value to the waste based on the theory of circular economy, and develop Thai energy in a sustainable manner, heading towards the Net Zero Emissions of Thailand by 2065.

Mrs. Rosaya Teinwan, Executive Vice President - Business Development of Global Power Synergy Public Company Limited or GPSC, the innovative power flagship of PTT Group, revealed that today (11 November 2022) GPSC has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Ms. Suchintana Viraratt, Chief Executive Officer of INSEE Ecocycle Company Limited in order to study the feasibility of establishing refuse derived fuel (RDF) power plants and recycling plants for the waste from solar panels and batteries, which will further lead to the development of investment models between the two parties in the future; thereby, the duration of the said study is 3 years, 2022 to 2025.

“Both parties will set up a joint working group to study on the technologies needed for the operation of the waste sorting plant and the transformation of the sorted solid wasted into RDF. The said study also includes the guidelines and plans to set up RDF power plants in the future on the condition that it is worth the investment. Meanwhile, the recycling project designated for the waste solar panels and batteries is generated due to the expected high volume of waste from expired solar panels, which will adversely affect the environment. Therefore, the said project is regarded as the preparation of knowledge to manage the expired solar panels properly for the benefits of the country as a whole,” Mrs. Rosaya said.

Suchintana Viraratt, Chief Executive Officer, INSEE Ecocycle Company Limited, said: “INSEE Ecocycle is a specialist in sustainable waste management and industrial service solutions provider. We aim to support our partner in better managing and recovering resources from their wastes and reduce environmental footprints. We continue to make contributions to the circular economy while new developments and initiatives provide partner with smarter solutions that help them climbing up the Waste Hierarchy.

Thailand is determined to promote the use of clean energy in all sectors according to the government's policies, especially electric power derived from solar cells and energy storage systems (ESS). Generally, the solar panels have the average lifespan of 25 years; therefore, in order to deal with the waste from such solar panels and batteries and recycle them to produce refuse derived fuel while reducing the environmental impact, it is necessary to study the methods of management along with the use of technologies and innovations needed for the recycling process. This is all to produce the fuel with more added value based on the concept related to the use of resources for maximum benefits and for sustainability as to the theory of circular economy.

In order for both parties to achieve the goals of the study on the two projects herein, the authorities specialized in the field of the waste management system will be teamed up for the project implementation. GPSC is well prepared in terms of recycling systems and techniques, for instance, the use of technology to recycle precious metals from solar panels and batteries, and the production of fuel obtained from the waste that cannot be recycled. The aforementioned recycling is expected to reduce pollution problems and at the meantime preserve the environment effectively, which is in line with the organization strategies related to the use of clean energy so as to achieve the Net Zero Emissions target by 2060.

“This is considered an important cooperation that can create a business ecosystem in the management of clean energy promotion from upstream to downstream. Moreover, it is compliant to the global trends that focus on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and global warming by means of clean energy used in every production process that must have standards and safety. Above all, it is also corresponding to the development context of Thailand regarding the clean energy for the sustainable economy,” Mrs. Rosaya added.

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