Program for Energy Efficiency in Kho Khao Hotels (PEEK), Thailand - PEEK OVERVIEW

Thailand for the most part depends on fossil fuels for its energy supply. Petroleum and natural gas account for almost the entire volume of Thailand’s energy imports. But in view of the growing scarcity of raw materials and the impact of their continuous use, the search for alternative sources of energy assumes pressing importance. Thailand signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992. Since then, numerous measures have been taken to improve energy efficiency. As part of its long‐term energy policy Thailand aims to boost energy efficiency measures and increase renewable energy as part of its energy mix.

The “Program for Energy Efficiency in Kho Khao (PEEK)” is financed by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety under the International Climate Protection Initiative. The initiative supports climate protection projects worldwide in developing, newly industrializing and transition countries in order to contribute effectively to emission reductions and adaptation to climate change. The PEEK project is being implemented by the UNWTO Consulting Unit on Tourism and Biodiversity in collaboration with Adelphi, Berlin.

The island of Kho Khao lays 130 km to the North of Phuket on the Andaman coast and forms part of the Province of Phang Nga and the District of Takua Pa. The island has an area of approximately 22 sq. km and some 880 inhabitants. It is supplied with electricity from the mainland. The island is approached by ferry. It was opened up for tourism some 15 years ago when the last of the tin mines in the province was shut down. The resort owners in Kho Khao are the key stakeholders in implementing the PEEK project.

PEEK Objectives and Goals

The overall aim of the project is to significantly reduce green house gas emissions from the hotel industry in Kho Khao by means of innovative and replicable solutions for energy efficiency and renewable energy. PEEK is part of further efforts to create a model destination for sustainable tourism in Kho Khao. A major emphasis is placed on the involvement of all relevant stakeholders and the dissemination of information in the wider Andaman coast region.

The core work streams of the project are:

Stakeholder engagement and information dissemination
Energy efficiency measures
Solar thermal collectors
Feasibility study for decentralized energy supply

Through its model character, the project aims to induce the island to switch over to regenerative energy supply which has the potential for broad-based application. At the same time, efforts are being made to create greater acceptance for sustainability and climate protection strategies both in the tourism sector and among the local population.

Target Groups

The target groups are:

Resorts and local municipalities in Kho Khao
Local hotel and tourism associations
Eco-tourism organizations as well as the concerned state authorities

“This project is part of the International Climate Initiative (ICI). The German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) supports this initiative on the basis of a decision adopted by the German Bundestag.”