Thailand is on the verge of a solar energy transformation, with private companies committed to investing at least USD 2 billion over the next five years in solar power production. The woman leading the country down a cleaner path is Wandee Khunchornyakong, who runs Solar Power Company Group, the largest solar power generation company in Thailand.

Solar Power Company Group is directly tackling climate change with its 36 solar farms (so far) in sunny, northeast Thailand, accounting for 250 MW of installed capacity. This translates into potential savings of 200,000 tonnes of CO2-equivilent per year compared to Thailand’s fossil-fuel driven electricity generation.

Ms. Khunchornyakong saw huge untapped potential for solar energy in Thailand and secured early-stage investments from the International Finance Corporation and the Clean Technology Fund to realize this potential. Thanks to these initial investments, she was able to grow the company from its humble beginnings into a billion-dollar industry.

To tell us more, we sat down with Solar Power Company Group’s CEO Wandee Khunchornyakong.

Listen to the interview below, and subscribe to the Momentum for Change podcast. To stay connected with Momentum for Change, subscribe to our e-newsletter.