Clean tech investments in South Africa and Thailand made headlines today, exciting us over the fact that these nations may “leapfrog” over the complete fossil fuel dependence ailing larger global economies. The Worldwatch Institute explained this phenomenon when they noticed how very possible it is for developing countries to avoid “the carbon-intensive development path of the 20th century and go straight to the advanced energy systems that are possible today.”

In Thailand, Bangchak Petroleum will invest 15.3 billion baht ($477 million) specifically in solar, along with another 7.6 billion baht ($238.6 million) in other renewables. They will build 11 solar plants over the next 3-5 years, adding 120 megawatts of solar electric capacity to the grid, according to Reuters. Bangchak Petroleum’s core business is oil refining, but they aim to be carbon neutral in the next 3-5 years.

South Africa has seen quite a different investment, as the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation allocated 7 million francs ($6.7 million) for the South African government’s Energy Efficiency Monitoring and Implementation Project. The South African Energy Minister, Dipou Peters, explained that South Africa has taken an analytical look at its current energy use and the optimal ways to cut carbon, determining that efficiency makes the most sense for her nation. She explains that South Africa has a strong need to “ensure that new construction and retrofitting of existing houses and buildings comply with building codes and standards that incorporate best practice for energy efficiency and green design.”

The first phase of this project will take place in specific municipalities and be overseen by the South African Local Government Association.

We’re happy to hear that so much of the world is acting on ambitious long term energy goals. On that note, happy weekend everyone!