On May 23, 2025, at Auditorium CO-113, NSTDA, Thailand Science Park
The National Energy Technology Center (ENTEC), in collaboration with the Thailand Excellence Center in Electric Vehicles (TECE), under the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), successfully launched the “Bhutan-Thailand Training on Energy Transition” for officials from Bhutan’s Department of Energy, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR). The opening ceremony was held on May 23, 2025, and the technical training and site visits will be conducted from May 27–30, 2025.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Prof. Dr. Sukit Limpijumnong, President of NSTDA, underscoring the strategic importance of this bilateral collaboration. Dr. Sumittra Charojrochkul, Executive Director of ENTEC, delivered welcome remarks to distinguished guests, including representatives from Thailand’s Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO), the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE), the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, and the visiting delegation from Bhutan’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.
Dr. Sumittra outlined the origins of this training initiative, which began with ENTEC’s participation in Bhutan’s “Energy Week” webinar in 2022. This initial engagement established a robust foundation for ongoing collaboration and mutual learning between the two nations’ energy sectors. The partnership has evolved to encompass comprehensive knowledge-sharing across multiple clean energy domains, including:
- Biofuels and alternative fuel technologies
- Electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and systems
- Green hydrogen production and applications
- Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) development
These focus areas align strategically with the core research capabilities of ENTEC and the Thailand Excellence Center in Electric Vehicles (TECE) at NSTDA.
The partnership has since expanded into the current training program, which aims to share both theoretical and practical knowledge and provide a platform for technical dialogue. It also supports Bhutan in developing national energy strategies, strengthening bilateral cooperation, and fostering the long-standing friendship between Thailand and Bhutan.
During the opening day, ENTEC welcomed esteemed guest speakers including Mr. Watcharin Boonyarit, Deputy Director-General of EPPO, who spoke on “Energy Transition: Policy,” and Mr. Khumthorn Nawalertpanya, Professional-Level Scientist at DEDE, who presented on “Thailand’s Renewable Energy Transition.” Dr. Visarn Lilavivat, Senior Researcher at ENTEC’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Research Team, presented an overview of ENTEC’s mission and research initiatives and also served as Master of Ceremonies for the event.
Following the ceremony, the delegation from Bhutan visited NSTDA’s Product Testing Center for Electrical and Electronic Products (PTEC) and the National Facility for Engineering Development (NFED). These visits offered insights into Thailand’s National Quality Infrastructure (NQI), which underpins the country’s capabilities in testing, certification, inspection, and accreditation—ensuring the quality, safety, and competitiveness of innovative products, especially in the clean energy sector.
