HOW TO INVOLVE

FOR PRODUCERS

As the global RAC sector is moving towards the next generation of climate-friendly refrigerants and energy-efficient technology, producers are the major stakeholder on the supply side. The RAC NAMA project aims at supporting Thai producers to address technology trends and increase their competitiveness.

Producers will specially be offered engineering support for production line conversion, product development with safe use of natural refrigerants, as well as safety and high energy efficiency design. This will be achieved by international experts highly experienced in product design and establishing production lines in the RAC sector.

Along with technical assistance, financial support is also made available to interested producers for investments in the set-up of production lines. This is provided under the grant scheme funded by the “RAC NAMA Fund” of the project. Following production line conversion, producers will be further assisted in market introduction of the green cooling products to end-users. They could also receive financial support for business operation of these products in the form of credit lines.

FOR SERVICE SECTOR

In preparing Thailand for the technology change in the RAC sector, the readiness of the service sector is very crucial as they provide services to serve consumers concerning green cooling products. Accordingly, the RAC NAMA project aims to support training of servicing staff, e.g., installers, repairers, and technicians, to be equipped with necessary knowledge of the climate-friendly and energy-efficient technologies and handling of potential safety challenges.

Activities for the service sector include:

Under the cooperation with Department of Skill Development (DSD), the project aims to enhance skills standard and curricula for RAC technicians to include safe handling of natural refrigerants and higher energy-efficient technology. The curricula cover both pre-employment and skill upgrade for RAC technicians.

Under the cooperation with Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC), the project aims to assist in enhancing the curriculum in relevant fields. This also includes the training of trainers.

Potential cooperation with private companies in the service sector to develop in-house curricula and training courses. This aims to ensure the high-quality service is delivered to customers.

FOR POLICY MAKERS

To address rising energy and climate change challenges where economic, environmental, and social issues have become significantly interconnected, policy makers are the key stakeholders that formulate and navigate national strategies. Among many efforts, Thailand has shown strong commitments in the Energy Efficiency Development Plan (EEDP), Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA), as well as its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).

In support of these policies, the aim of the RAC NAMA project to promote climate-friendly and energy-efficient technologies in the RAC sector helps Thailand to reach Energy Saving and GHG Mitigation targets. To comprehensively steer and prepare Thailand for the sector-wide transition within the scope of the RAC NAMA project, the responsible governmental agencies hold the following crucial roles:

• Enhancing Thailand’s Energy Efficiency Performance Standards (MEPS and HEPS) and Labeling to be in line with international best practices and changing market dynamics
• Improving product safety standard
• Providing capacity building and safety training for RAC technicians
• Establishing a proper Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system and product database as well as enhancing Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

FOR END-USERS

For market introduction of green cooling products, end-users which comprise both private consumers and commercial end-users, are the core players on the demand side. Without appropriate tools and support mechanisms, the decision to buy cooling products depends largely on the up-front price.

Accordingly, consumers and users should be well informed about energy efficiency technology and its energy saving potential for their households or business. With such information, they will be able to make a right decision on the basis of cost-effectiveness. Energy Efficiency label is generally provided and well-accepted in the market already. However, building capacities is still necessary for end-users to differentiate higher energy efficient products and energy saving calculation.

More importantly, to increase demand for green cooling products, there is a need to raise awareness and provide knowledge about the application of natural refrigerants and its benefits to the general public and key end-users. This means both private and commercial users need to be convinced that climate-friendly and energy-efficient cooling technologies can be used safely and at the same time offer great benefits.

Apart from market support and awareness raising activities, financing schemes targeted at green cooling will be promoted through corporate and consumer financing, funded by the RAC NAMA fund of this project. The financial instruments set up under the project aim at providing attractive financing conditions for increasing the demand of both private and commercial end-users, for example credit line for green cooling products.