Bangkok (VNA) - The ThaiGovernment has given the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) the go-ahead toextend the deadline for 14 renewable power plants to start commercialoperations.

The Energy Policy AdministrativeCommittee (EPAC) approved the ERC’s proposal after many operators called forthe government to ease the commercial operations date (COD) conditions.

The 14 projects includewaste-to-energy, biogas and biomass resources, with a combined power generationof 300 MW. These operators have been stymied by local protesters opposingdevelopment of power projects in their communities.

Some projects have yet to beginconstruction because of trouble raising money or impractical technologies.

ERC Deputy General Secretary KhomgrichTantravanich said the National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) will approve thedeadline extension on December 16.

According to the ERC, many operatorshave asked for permission to relocate their sites after being resisted by localprotesters, but public hearings were completed.

Khomgrich said the ERC will considerhow to extend the limitation without cancelling granted licences.

All renewable power projects weregranted power generation licences between 2015 and 2018, with the COD deadline of2019-2021.

Thailand expects that renewableenergy will contribute 29,358 MW or 33 percent of total power generation in thecountry in 2037, up 10 percent over 2017./.