WESTERN DIGITAL, EGAT, and INNOPOWER Join Forces to Pilot Green Energy Use under Thailand’s Utility Green Tariff Initiative

Western Digital, EGAT, and INNOPOWER announced their collaboration to drive green energy use in Thailand. This is the first pilot project rolled out under the country’s Utility Green Tariff initiative as one of Energy Regulatory Committee (ERC) Sandbox Phase 2 projects. With this collaboration, Western Digital will implement electricity generated from renewable energy at its Bang Pa-In manufacturing site, test green energy procurement options guaranteed by INNOPOWER’s Renewable Energy Certification (REC), and promote green energy mechanism according to international standards.

The agreement for this collaboration was signed by representatives from the three organizations, including Mr. Philip Bernard, Senior Vice President of Western Digital Storage Technologies (Thailand); Mr. Warit Rattanachuen, Assistant Governor – Research, Innovation and Business Development of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT); and Mr. Athip Tantivorawong, CEO of INNOPOWER Company Limited.

“We are pleased to partner with EGAT and INNOPOWER to implement the use of green electricity from renewable energy sources at Western Digital’s Bang Pa-In manufacturing site in Thailand. This is an important milestone for Western Digital in our sustainability journey where we have set an ambitious aim to reduce our carbon footprint. Approved by the Science Based Target initiative, our Scope 1 and 2 target is to reduce emissions by 42% from 2020 to 2030 and our Scope 3 target is to reduce the use-phase emissions intensity of our products by 50% by 2030,” said Mr. Philip Bernard.

Mr. Warit Rattanachuen, EGAT Assistant Governor – Research, Innovation and Business Development revealed that this collaboration between Western Digital and EGAT is an important step in driving the use of renewable energy in Thailand’s manufacturing industry, a key growth driver for the country. “Thanks to ERC Sandbox Project, this partnership marks the first ever pilot project where we roll out green energy use in Thailand under the Utility Green Tariff initiative. We hope that the impact will benefit both our country and the world as we continue to drive toward a low carbon society.”

Mr. Athip Tantivorawong, CEO of INNOPOWER Company Limited added, “Western Digital is leading change in the global digital storage solutions by utilizing renewable energy to power the future.?For this Sandbox pilot project, INNOPOWER is committed to supporting Western Digital to achieve the green energy and sustainability goals by providing the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC). INNOPOWER’s mission is to make green energy accessible to everyone and support energy transition in Thai economy.”

The Utility Green Tariff tests the mechanism of trading electricity from renewable energy in the form of green energy procurement and is part of the ERC Sandbox Project, Phase 2, for a period of 1 year. The project aims to test options of green energy procurement to enhance the green energy sector of Thailand at an international level in line with governmental policies, and the readiness to meet the green energy demand of all business sectors. It would also reduce carbon border tax such as CBAM and increase national competitiveness with power innovations, driving toward a low carbon society and the country’s goal of Net Zero Emissions.

About Western Digital

Western Digital is on a mission to unlock the potential of data by harnessing the possibility to use it. With Flash and HDD franchises, underpinned by advancements in memory technologies, we create breakthrough innovations and powerful data storage solutions that enable the world to actualize its aspirations. Core to our values, we recognize the urgency to combat climate change and have committed to ambitious carbon reduction goals approved by the Science Based Targets initiative.?Learn more about Western Digital and the Western Digital?, SanDisk?, and WD? brands at www.westerndigital.com.

About EGAT

EGAT is a state-owned enterprise under the supervision of Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Finance. The principal mission of EGAT is electricity generation, electricity acquisition, and electricity sales to the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), a number of direct customers by law, and neighboring countries. EGAT has also invested in other energy related businesses. Learn more about EGAT at www.egat.co.th/home/en/.

About INNOPOWER

INNOPOWER Company Limited is an energy innovations company set up by Thailand’s leading power utilities (Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT),?RATCH?Group, and?EGCO?Group) to invest, develop, and commercialize disruptive, cutting-edge technologies in the sustainable energy and power sectors. Learn more about how renewable energy innovations are the future at www.innopower.co.th.