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The clean energy transition is our chance to build a fairer future, yet women are still missing from the table. Around the world, only 15% of clean energy leadership roles are held by women.
Even in Thailand, a leader in the Asia Pacific region when it comes to women’s leadership in the energy sector, women occupy just 23% of leadership positions.
But when women are at the helm, the impact speaks for itself.
Salinee Hurley. Photo from SunSawang
Salinee Hurley is proof that inclusive leadership powers inclusive solutions. A mechanical engineer specializing in solar, she founded SunSawang: a social enterprise bringing solar home systems and lanterns to off-grid villages along the Thailand–Myanmar border. She is also the Project Director at the Border Green Energy Team (BGET), an organization advancing clean energy access in the region.
Salinee’s journey into solar began when she pursued further studies in solar engineering in the United States. Returning to Thailand, she initially implemented solar projects through an NGO model, using grant funding to provide free installations in remote areas. Over time, she realized the approach lacked long-term sustainability.
To address this, Salinee transitioned to a social enterprise model, offering long-term payment plans that support both ongoing maintenance and local ownership.
“Free installations may help in the short term, but the real goal is to empower people to access energy independently in the long run,” she said.
Solar installation at Maw Poe Kay High School. Photo from SunSawang
SunSawang now trains and hires local technicians and sales agents to serve their own communities. This localized model not only keeps systems functioning, but also supports economic activity—access to reliable electricity allows for evening work like weaving, increasing household income.
Salinee’s work also highlights the systemic barriers that persist in Thailand’s solar landscape: high upfront costs, inconsistent regional regulations, and limited financing options for low-income households. Recent steps, including draft laws to simplify rooftop solar permitting and new green loan products, are promising, but access remains uneven.
Last year, she joined New Energy Nexus Thailand’s SolarSTEP initiative, where she shared her expertise and connected with other women leading the shift to a cleaner energy future.
Solar installation at Maw Poe Kay High School. Photo from SunSawang
SolarSTEP is designed to build skills and leadership among solar technicians and entrepreneurs, with a focus on women, to help accelerate Thailand’s clean energy transition.
This work is spurred on by Thailand’s ambitious target to reach 12,139 MW of solar capacity by 2037, as outlined in its Alternative Energy Development Plan (AEDP). Hitting this target will take more than policy; it requires investing in people, empowering women, and expanding access to rooftop solar across the country.
This is where SolarSTEP comes in. The program has already delivered seven trainings across Thailand’s Central, Northern, and Southern regions, reaching over 200 participants. These efforts have been strengthened through collaboration with key partners, including PEA Encom Smart Solution, PEA Encom International, and LONGi.
Photo of the SolarSTEP 2024 Training program participants, including Salinee Hurley.
Looking ahead, we’re focused on scaling impact, broadening solar access, and building a sector that mirrors the diversity of the communities it serves.
If we want a just and resilient clean energy future, we need to break down the barriers that keep women on the sidelines and back those already leading the way. Empowering more women to participate and lead in clean energy isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do.
Want to be part of building an inclusive clean energy sector in Thailand? Learn more about our work here.
The clean energy transition requires new ideas for deploying existing tech, especially in emerging markets such as Thailand. And startups are ready to take on the challenge.
At the Decarbonize Thailand Symposium 2025, co-hosted by New Energy Nexus Thailand and True Digital Park, 37 startups from around the world showcased breakthrough technologies that could drive the country’s clean energy future.
These nine startups represent some of the most promising clean energy and climate solutions across Asia and beyond – with fresh ideas, unique technologies, and growing relevance to New Energy Nexus’ mission of driving decarbonisation and accelerating the adoption of clean technologies.
GeoAgni presenting at the Decarbonize Thailand Symposium 2025.
GeoAgni (Thailand)
Harnessing Thailand’s geothermal energy potential
GeoAgni is a geothermal power plant developer specializing in closed-loop systems that provide 24/7 stable, clean energy. Their scalable, low-impact technology supports Thailand’s energy security and carbon neutrality goals, offering a commercially viable solution for sustainable, locally produced renewable energy in industrial and grid applications.
Photo from Skycool’s website
SkyCool Systems (US)
Changing the game for urban cooling
SkyCool is the first in the world to develop a passive radiative cooling film that can keep any surface 5° to 8°C below the ambient temperature, just by being outside and under the sky. The film eliminates solar heat gain, reduces heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) energy costs, and creates ‘cool’ islands in cities.
Climind presenting at the Decarbonize Thailand Symposium 2025.
Climind (Hong Kong)
AI-powered carbon analysis
Climind is an AI platform for sustainability, offering enterprise-level search, ESG and climate report analysis, content generation, and carbon trading insights. It integrates corporate climate data, enhancing efficiency and decision-making. Through precise search, automated reporting, and AI-driven regulatory analysis, it aims to advance climate research, predict patterns, and drive low-carbon transformation.
Image from T-Smart’s website
TIE Smart Solutions (Thailand)
AIoT-driven energy savings across Thailand
T-Smart is a tech-driven energy solutions startup specializing in Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT)-powered energy management for buildings and factories. They provide various technologies that help clients achieve up to 20 percent in energy savings while enhancing sustainability, operational efficiency, and long-term performance across Thailand.
Screenshot of the Alto CERO system for buildings. Image from Altotech Global’s website.
AltoTech Global (Thailand)
Lower carbon, energy costs through AI algorithms
AltoTech’s Alto CERO system helps hotels, buildings, and factories to effectively consume energy and cut carbon emissions with Internet of Things (IoT) and AI algorithms. Their technology promises users can save up to 40 percent in energy costs, reduce their carbon footprint by 40 percent, and expect an attractive payback period of less than 3 years.
GRST presenting at the Decarbonize Thailand Symposium 2025.
GRST (Hong Kong)
Safer binder materials driving battery circularity
GRST (Green Renewable Sustainable Technology) makes eco-friendly lithium-ion binder materials, which remove toxic PFAS or “forever chemicals” from lithium-ion batteries and make them easily recyclable in water. Their binder materials match industry performance and cost across all lithium-ion battery types, integrate easily into existing battery production, and are proven at commercial scale in their 1 GWh battery factory. They aim to become the global standard for eco-friendly binder materials, enabling clean circular battery production.
Wongphai’s booth at the Decarbonize Thailand Symposium 2025.
Wongphai (Thailand)
Reducing carbon pollution through biochar
Wongphai is a sustainability solutions provider, transforming agricultural waste into accessible wealth. Contrary to the tradition of burning bamboo offcuts, Wongphai instead turns them into biochar or organic charcoal, eliminating potential carbon emissions. This biochar not only increases soil quality and crop yield, but also reduces methane emissions when used in septic ponds for pig farms. Through this regenerative agricultural solution, the startup aims to empower communities and drive a circular economy in the country.
AIMOVE-TARA Project presented at the Decarbonize Thailand Symposium 2025.
AIMOVE-TARA Project (Thailand)
AI system aiming to unlock wave energy potential
This project is developing a real-time sensor and AI-driven analytics system, which monitors ocean wave patterns—data that can be widely used to calculate the energy potential of ocean wave power. This supports the future development of green energy generators and allows for the accurate prediction of natural disasters, like tsunamis and other related events.
Carnotfleet’s booth at the Decarbonize Thailand Symposium 2025.
Carnotfleet (Singapore)
De-risking transport cooling systems
Carnotfleet’s plug-and-play cold chain system provides temperature control for transport and logistics. These products can be installed in existing non-refrigerated vehicles, turning them into temperature-controlled units in minutes with no upfront cost. These units are then controlled, optimized, and monitored with data connected to the cloud. The technology de-risks the cold chain and minimizes the business and environmental impacts of loss due to human error.
Entrepreneurs in Thailand and beyond are brimming with ideas. Imagine the possibilities when a strong ecosystem is backing them up, providing them with the connections and resources they need to take the next step.
This ecosystem-building work is what we do best at New Energy Nexus. Our Thai team organized this event intending to cast a global net on climate and clean energy innovators—in total, over 500 participants from various sectors converged in Bangkok to exchange insights on decarbonization and build relationships in the field.
From here, they will be part of a massive, global community of like-minded startups, industry experts, and potential investors, giving them new pathways to scale their business to a wider market.
Find out more about our work in Thailand.
The Decarbonize Thailand Symposium we co-hosted with True Digital Park is one of the year’s most significant clean energy meetings in Thailand. It’s also a unique opportunity to showcase local global climate tech startups, and build partnerships with some of the country’s biggest corporations.
Now in its second year, we teamed up with Denso and Mitsubishi Thailand to focus on four arenas: e-mobility, decarbonization, agritech, and energy.
New Energy Nexus showcased over 20 startups at the symposium, with an additional 37 expressing interest from both Thailand and abroad, spanning countries like India, Japan, the Philippines, and Singapore. Here are a few of them…
Algal Bio is revolutionizing industries with their ‘Algae Biofoundry Platform’. Their tech licensing service unlocks the power of algae, identifying top strains and cultivation methods for everything from wellness to carbon neutralization.
Masahiro Kida, Team Leader for International Business Development, Algal Bio
Gideon’s platform offers complete carbon accounting and energy trading capabilities, making it easy for SMEs and non-technical users to track and trade carbon emissions. Specializing in scalable, emission tracking, and simulation digital platforms, they’re leading the way towards a greener future.
Chosen Digital is leading the charge in future energy innovation. Partnering with PEA, they’re pioneering the next-gen energy landscape with cutting-edge EV charging and beyond. From energy trading to virtual power plants, they’re transforming the game with plans for regional expansion.
Worapoj Ruenrerngwong, Founder & CEO, Chosen Group
Multi Energy Decarbonized Solutions (MEDS) is unlocking sustainable energy solutions. As leaders in scalable energy modeling, they harness cutting-edge platforms, empowering businesses with actionable strategies to offset and slash carbon emissions, driving sustainable operations forward.
Alternō Air is revolutionizing green energy with sand batteries! Their Thermal Energy Storage (TES) system is changing the game, offering efficient and eco-friendly energy storage for zero-emission heating in agriculture and industry.
“For the last 20 years, we have supported 1,200 companies working in this energy and climate space across 13 different countries. Our mission is to build hundreds of companies in each country, helping our industry leaders to decarbonize their businesses.”
–Stanley Ng, Global Partnerships Director at New Energy Nexus.
Stanley Ng, Global Partnerships Director at New Energy Nexus
New Energy Nexus Thailand has supported clean energy innovators since 2017, and fostered a thriving ecosystem for startup teams dedicated to tackling rising energy demands and climate change. Our programs empower entrepreneurs to drive innovation in the clean energy sector, with corporate partnership a critical strategy to decarbonising the broader economy.
Learn more about NEX Thailand and check out our climate tech ecosystem mapping report.
Bangkok, 14 June 2022 – True Digital Park in partnership with New Energy Nexus (Thailand) announces the launch of a program to support decarbonization according to the National Energy Plan 2022 called ‘Decarbonize Thailand Startup Sandbox’ (DTS). This program facilitates five industry leading corporations to engage with climate tech startups in a 3-month Sandbox pilot project. The program will help climate tech startups and corporate partners to accelerate their collaboration and knowledge exchange, while also supporting the national goal of reaching Net Zero emissions and accelerating a decarbonized economy.
Dr. Tarit Nimmanwudipong, General Manager of True Digital Park (TDPK) says that TDPK, the biggest tech and startup hub in ASEAN, has partnered with New Energy Nexus (Thailand) to help local and international startups strengthen decarbonization businesses. From this collaboration comes the ‘Decarbonize Thailand Startup Sandbox’ – a space giving the opportunity for startups to connect and collaborate with experts from different industries. They can meet with mentors to adjust and develop specific solutions for targeted high-emitting industries, as well as learn from experts and expand their network.
The project is supported by B.Grimm Power, C.P. Group, IRPC, PTT and True Corporation. Interested startups can apply.
“Following PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s announcement that Thailand will achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and Net Zero by 2065 after joining COP26, we have seen several organizations declaring similar goals in reducing emissions. At the same time, we feel there is a lack of activities in the business sector to work together and support investment in innovation to build technology, people and startups. It is crucial that we create a collaborative platform to connect stakeholders within the industry and startup entrepreneurs with relevant technology in reducing carbon emission together.”
“The Decarbonize Thailand Startup Sandbox is set to bring about a unique opportunity for both local and international startups in order for them to expand business opportunities and increase sustainability for high-emitting industries in Thailand. They will be supported by industrial experts and mentors from the New Energy Nexus Ecosystem who will be sharing their knowledge and experience. The teams selected from the Startup Selection Event will be partnered with Thailand’s leading organizations and work closely together in the Startup Sandbox for 3 months. Corporates will have the opportunity to engage and support startups relevant to the challenges they are facing, while startups will be able to gain insights into the Thai market, test their business feasibility in the Thai context, backed by a corporate. ”Those interested can join as a team, whether from companies, startups or as individuals. The requirement would be to support the private sector in mitigating industrial carbon to achieve Net Zero in Thailand, together with the selected corporates and readiness to explore the Thai market” said Dr.Tarit
Mr. Stanley Ng, Program Director at New Energy Nexus (Thailand) stated:“New Energy Nexus’ mission is to support innovations in climate and energy. Since 2004 we have impacted thousands of entrepreneurs and leveraged over 1.5B USD in investment into these startups. Decarbonization is a huge economic opportunity for both climate startups and industry leaders. With the Decarbonize Thailand Sandbox, we want to support these leaders to realize their decarbonization goals while building a healthy ecosystem of climate startups in Thailand.”
The Decarbonize Thailand Startup Sandbox program will proceed as follows:
1. Startup Selection & Pitch Event: On July 16-17, 2022, Thai and international startups are welcomed to engage industry experts and present their technology solutions for a chance to match with partner organizations and join the DTS Startup Sandbox in the next phase.
2. Startup Sandbox Phase: From August 1 – October 31, 2022, the Startup Sandbox phase will be the time where paired startup-corporate teams work on developing their proof of concept of their solution in decarbonizing the business and industrial sector together. During these 3 months, startups will receive support in the form of resources to work such as masterclass workshops, consultations with corporate mentors and experts in an optional provided workspace.
3. DTS Symposium: This will take place in November 2022. The symposium will feature conferences and activities to build collaboration between startups, public and private sectors, leading organizations from different industries, researchers, economists and individuals within the climate and innovation field. The aim is to discuss the challenges, opportunities and future of Thailand in the face of climate change and the transition to a low carbon economy.
Mr. Ng concluded that in addition to providing an opportunity to match with the country’s leading corporations to expand their business opportunities, startups that participate in the Decarbonize Thailand Startup Sandbox will also receive several other benefits such as workshops and access to international experts, as well as receiving insights from corporate mentors who will assist startups to customize solutions for potential proof of concepts. Furthermore, New Energy Nexus has a network of mentors who will provide consultation in developing successful projects in clean energy and decarbonization. They will support Thai startups to gain access to investment opportunities, and advise on growth and expansion.
Tristan Tremschnig
Communications Director, New Energy Nexus (based in San Francisco, USA)
tristan.tremschnig@newenergynexus.com
About New Energy Nexus
New Energy Nexus (NEX) is an international organization that strives towards a 100% clean energy economy for 100% of the population. It does this with a laser focus on diverse entrepreneurs, supporting them with accelerators, funds, skills, and networks they need to thrive. NEX has accelerated 1,500+ startups, empowered over 10,400+ entrepreneurs, and mobilized over US$4.7 billion in investment. Since its founding in California in 2004, NEX now operates programs or advisory services in Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, the UAE, Uganda, the USA (California and New York), and Vietnam.
