The NXPO team, led by Assoc. Prof. Wongkot Wongsapai, Vice President; Dr. Nuwong Chollacoop, Assistant to the President; and Dr. Kommate Jitvanichphaibool, Deputy Director of the APEC Center for Technology Foresight, held a meeting with the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) and the Energy Conservation Promotion Fund Administration Office (ENCON Fund) on 16 May 2025. The EPPO delegation was headed by Mr. Sarat Prakobchart, Deputy Director General, and Mr. Watcharin Boonyarit, Deputy Director General, while the ENCON Fund was represented by Mr. Amarin Wongphan, Deputy Manager.
The meeting explored opportunities for collaboration in scaling up energy research and innovation from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) to the national level. Assoc. Prof. Wongkot and Dr. Nuwong presented a framework to link research and innovation from the higher education, science, research, and innovation system with the implementation mechanisms of the Ministry of Energy through EPPO and the ENCON Fund. The discussion also addressed integrating foresight methodologies into Thailand’s long-term national energy plan, factoring in critical drivers such as climate change, geopolitical shifts, artificial intelligence (AI), and other emerging trends.
Key proposals included mapping MHESI’s research database with those of EPPO and the ENCON Fund to identify potential projects and facilitating policy dialogue to support government decision-making. The three organizations agreed to establish pathways for deploying research, technology, and innovation into practical applications that deliver tangible economic, social, and environmental impacts.
Dr. Kommate also presented the use of foresight tools to guide energy transition policies, including technology trend assessments and national demand forecasting, to help Thailand effectively navigate future energy challenges.
EPPO and the ENCON Fund affirmed their support for this collaborative initiative, which brings together the strengths of academia, research institutions, and energy policy agencies. This partnership is expected to strengthen national energy security, accelerate the development of renewable energy, and enhance Thailand’s competitiveness on the path toward sustainable development.
