In Thailand renewable energy sources, such as biomass, are plentifully available and thus offer a tremendous potential to replace polluting fossil fuels over time. With this vision in mind His Majesty the King has brought up biodiesel technology in Thailand through a number of Royal Initiative Projects, which focus on the study, research, experiment, and development of agricultural crops in producing bio-fuels.

The first initiative for renewable energy usage in Thailand dates back almost three decades, when His Majesty the King instructed the Royal Chitralada Projects to experiment with bio-ethanol production. Only a few years after the oil crises, in 1985, His Majesty envisioned the potential of palm oil and entrusted the Prince of Songkla University to establish a small refinery to produce palm oil at Ao Leuk Community Cooperative. In response to His Majesty’s initiative, another small refinery was established at the Pikulthong Research and Development Center in Narathiwat. In 2000, His Majesty’s Personal Affairs Division conducted an experiment in which crude palm oil was used for diesel vehicles at Klaikangwon Palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Hua Hin district. Research for the use of palm oil as a bio-fuel continued and in May 2001 four government and private agencies showcased their findings at an exhibition within Suan Chitralada’s compound. In the same year, His Majesty’s “Palm Oil for Biodiesel Project” was internationally recognized and awarded at the 49th World Exhibition of Innovation, Research and New Technology “Brussels Eureka 2001” in Brussels.

In the following years, government agencies, private entrepreneurs, farmers and oil traders have jointly developed prototype production units. A 1000 liter per day (LPD) biodiesel plant has been operating for the Royal Chitralada Projects since May 2004 and similar plants with 3000-5000 LPD capacity have been installed in several places such as Chiangmai, Bangkok, Patumtani, or Chacherngsao. Inspired by His Majesty’s initiatives it was then in August 2006, when GREEN POWER CORPORATION was established.