Mr. Wilas Chaloeisat, Governor of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), participated in a panel discussion on sustainable energy initiatives for the capital city of the future, under the theme “MEA's Sustainable Actions for a Smarter, Sustainable Future.” The discussion was held alongside environmental activist and communicator Khun Wannasing Prasertkul during the Sustainability Expo 2024, featuring an exhibition of MEA’s sustainable projects at the SX Talk Stage, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
As a state enterprise under the Ministry of Interior, responsible for electricity distribution and management in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and Samut Prakan, MEA conducts its operations with a strong awareness of social and environmental issues in line with sustainable development principles. MEA’s efforts focus on the three core pillars of Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG). This commitment is manifested through various initiatives such as the MEA GO (Green Organization) project, which raises employee awareness on social and environmental responsibility (CSR) through activities including Zero Waste, Waste to Energy programs, Green Procurement policies for eco-friendly goods and services, and Green Meetings that promote efficient energy and resource usage. Additionally, MEA has upgraded to energy-efficient equipment in its buildings to optimize energy consumption.
In terms of power distribution infrastructure, MEA is mindful of environmental impacts arising from the decommissioning of large quantities of aged equipment. The authority has initiated an upcycling process for expired electrical insulators, repurposing them in various forms. For instance, coarse-ground insulator material is utilized as anti-skid ceramic particles for road surfaces, while finely ground insulator powder is manufactured into high-performance water-absorbing sheets. These innovations have been piloted internally with plans to expand usage to partner networks and local communities. Meanwhile, electric poles removed from underground cabling projects have been repurposed as coastal erosion barriers in the Phra Chulachomklao Fort and Bang Khun Thian coastal areas, covering more than 2,500 meters. MEA has also supported ongoing mangrove reforestation and maintenance efforts since 2004, resulting in over 380 rai of thriving mangrove forest behind the coastal protection barriers.
MEA is a pioneering state enterprise in adopting electric vehicles (EVs) for its operations and has been utilizing EV charging technology for more than a decade. Building on this experience, MEA developed the PLUG ME EV innovation—an EV charging system tailored for office buildings and condominiums accommodating large numbers of EV users, reducing costs by over 40% compared to typical AC chargers available in the market. MEA also introduced the “Charge Sure by MEA” certification, a safety and accuracy standard mark for EV chargers designed to enhance consumer confidence. Beyond infrastructure, MEA supports the transition to renewable energy by purchasing electricity from 13,735 very small power producers (VSPPs), with a combined capacity exceeding 238 megawatts. The authority has also installed over 84 megawatts of solar photovoltaic systems across various agencies, collectively reducing approximately 190,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually.
To promote responsible energy usage, MEA has long championed knowledge-building initiatives for the public. Since 2007, the MEA Energy Mind Award program has cultivated concrete behavioral changes, particularly among personnel and youth in educational institutions, nurturing a generation of “Green Youth” dedicated to sustainable living in Thai society.
For business operators, the MEA Energy Award recognizes buildings across categories that demonstrate efficient energy use and meet air quality standards. Now in its seventh year, the program has certified 313 buildings that comply with MEA’s energy-saving criteria, yielding annual energy savings of 46.33 million units, equivalent to 180.93 million baht in cost reductions and a decrease of 26,589 tons of CO2 emissions per year.
These initiatives represent a fraction of MEA’s comprehensive strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065. Driven from within and expanding outward, MEA actively propels efforts toward carbon neutrality in alignment with future governmental policies.
Stay updated with the latest news and activities of SX via the Facebook Page: Sustainability Expo, and follow the LINE account @sxofficial.
Prepare to discover inspiring perspectives and pioneering models for sustainable social transformation at SX2025, returning grander than ever from September 26 to October 5, 2025, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
“Because sustainability is everyone’s responsibility.”
