In 2022, the John Cockerill Foundation, in order to fulfil its mission, joined forces with the Mae Fah Luang Foundation (MFLF) to support the Doi Tung project. Located in the heart of the Golden Triangle, once notorious for its production and trafficking of illegal drugs, the Doi Tung project aims to transform this region into a model of sustainable development. Under royal patronage, the Mae Fah Luang Foundation seeks to create happiness, sustainability and stability through the development of communities, society, the environment and cultures.
From the outset of the project, we analysed the needs of the community and identified the ideal solution to meet them. We therefore took the initiative of drawing up a Request for Quotation (RFQ) to select, in close collaboration with the MFLF, a service provider capable of equipping several parts of the Doi Tung site with photovoltaic panels. The aim was to maximise solar energy production while reducing the site’s environmental impact.
At the end of this rigorous process, a service provider was chosen to implement the project to install photovoltaic panels over an area of more than 317 m², thus exceeding the initial planned area of 140 m².
The decision to extend the area of photovoltaic panels within the Doi Tung project has significant sustainability implications. As a result of this intervention, the site’s carbon footprint will be reduced by 42 tonnes per year, contributing to the fight against climate change and to global efforts to achieve not only the Paris Agreement targets but also the Mae Fah Luang Foundation’s carbon neutral ambitions.
The Foundation’s contribution will also enable the association to make considerable savings. Annual energy costs will be reduced by €12,600, freeing up financial resources for other sustainable development initiatives and strengthening the long-term economic viability of the Doi Tung project.
In addition to the environmental and economic benefits, the Doi Tung project has a significant impact on local communities. By tackling the problems of opium cultivation and deforestation, the project aims to create sustainable economic opportunities for local residents, particularly through the promotion of sustainable agriculture, responsible tourism and traditional handicrafts.
The Mae Fah Luang Foundation is also working to improve access to health services, education and infrastructure for local communities, helping to improve the quality of life for local people.
Our partnership with the Mae Fah Luang Foundation and the Doi Tung project illustrates the power of collaboration between private players and not-for-profit organisations to promote a sustainable future. The John Cockerill Foundation brings its technological expertise and commitment to sustainable development, while the Mae Fah Luang Foundation, with its royal patronage, implements significant social and environmental initiatives.
By combining our strengths, we are creating a lasting positive impact in the Golden Triangle region and beyond. This partnership is an inspiring model of global cooperation to address the social, economic and environmental challenges we face.