Thailand’s Path to Energy Efficiency w/ Stuart Pollington

In this episode of Made it in Thailand, we sit down with Stuart Pollington, co-founder of Easson Energy and owner of Smart Traffic and Smart Digital Group. Stuart shares insights from his journey from the UK to Thailand, his experiences in digital marketing, and how he ventured into energy efficiency. Discover how Easson Energy helps businesses reduce energy wastage and CO2 emissions, and learn about the importance of adapting to local cultures when doing business in Thailand. Tune in for valuable lessons on entrepreneurship, team building, and saving energy costs.

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartpollington/
• easson.energy
• smart-digital.co.th
• www.smart-traffic.com.au
• www.evodigital.com.au

Building a sustainable response to Thailand’s energy crisis hinges on prioritizing efficiency through real-time monitoring, behavioral adjustments, and complementary green technologies amid rising demands and costs. Here are five key insights from our conversation with Stuart Pollington of Easson Energy, each tackling common challenges in optimizing energy use for businesses in this dynamic market.

• Implement Real-Time Monitoring for Data-Driven Savings: Easson Energy installs hardware to track energy usage second-by-second at the asset level, revealing hidden waste like unnecessary air conditioning. Many overlook granular data, leading to unchecked inefficiencies averaging 40% globally. In my consulting work since 2012, I’ve seen Thai factories save 10-30% by baselining usage; this visibility enables targeted reductions, aligning with Thailand’s push for greener operations amid high electricity costs.
• Combine Behavioral Changes with Automation: Beyond monitoring, recommendations include turning off equipment during off-hours or automating systems for optimal timing. Businesses often underestimate human factors, but simple shifts can yield immediate gains. From advising firms here, I know integrating automation with staff training halves waste cycles; in Thailand’s humid climate, this optimizes cooling without disrupting production, supporting national CO2 targets.
• Integrate Efficiency Before Green Energy Investments: Efficiency complements solar by reducing overall demand, potentially halving ROI periods compared to solar’s 10-25 years. Companies rush to renewables without addressing waste, inflating costs. In my experience, monitoring first ensures balanced loads and extends solar viability; Thailand’s solar incentives pair well, but starting with efficiency maximizes returns in an economy facing grid volatility.
• Leverage BOI and Partnerships for Business Growth: Setting up as a Board of Investment (BOI) company eases work permits and scaling, ideal for tech like energy solutions. Entrepreneurs overlook cultural adaptations, risking turnover. I’ve worked with BOI firms that thrive by partnering locally; in Thailand, building relationships via chambers like AustCham fosters resilience against regulatory hurdles.
• Focus on Long-Term Adaptability and Networking: Thailand offers lifestyle perks but demands patience with bureaucracy and team dynamics—invest in staff growth for retention. Newcomers undervalue networks, leading to isolation. From my years here, embracing “mai pen rai” while pushing innovation builds strong teams; chambers and embassies provide crucial support for sustainable ventures in this opportunity-rich environment.

Stuart’s approach with Easson Energy is exactly what Thailand needs right now, and honestly, what most businesses anywhere need. Everyone wants to slap solar panels on the roof and call themselves green, but if you’re wasting 40% of your energy through inefficiency, you’re just putting a band-aid on a broken system. The real wins come from understanding where your energy actually goes, and that requires real-time monitoring at the asset level. Most businesses have no idea how much power individual machines or systems are consuming, so they can’t make informed decisions. Stuart’s point about baselining usage is critical. Once you see the data, the opportunities become obvious. Maybe your air conditioning is running full blast when no one’s in the building, or equipment is idling overnight for no reason. These aren’t complicated problems, but you can’t fix what you can’t see. And in Thailand, where electricity costs are high and climbing, a 10-30% reduction in usage isn’t just environmental virtue signaling. It’s real money back in your pocket every month. The behavioral piece is something I wish more business owners took seriously. Technology can only do so much if your team isn’t aligned. Training staff to turn off equipment during breaks, optimizing schedules, and automating systems where possible creates a culture of efficiency. In Thailand’s climate, cooling is one of the biggest energy drains, so getting smarter about how and when you run AC can have massive impact without sacrificing comfort. What really resonated with me is Stuart’s emphasis on efficiency before green energy. Solar is great, but if your building is hemorrhaging energy, you’re just generating more power to waste. Fix the leaks first, then add renewables. That sequencing cuts your payback period in half and makes the whole investment more sustainable. Thailand’s solar incentives are attractive, but combining them with efficiency measures is where the real ROI lives. On the business side, his use of BOI status is smart. It simplifies work permits and signals to the government that you’re contributing to strategic sectors like energy tech. I’ve seen too many foreign entrepreneurs struggle because they didn’t leverage available frameworks. BOI isn’t for everyone, but if you qualify, it removes a lot of friction. And finally, Stuart’s right about networking and relationships. Thailand rewards patience and relationship-building. Chambers like AustCham aren’t just social clubs. They’re how you navigate bureaucracy, find partners, and stay sane when things get frustrating. If you’re trying to build something here without investing in those connections, you’re making it way harder than it needs to be.