Thailand to launch national energy plan in September

The Thai Energy Ministry is preparing the National Energy Plan 2024, expected to be launched in September, with key contents including plans for building nuclear plants and capping electricity costs at under THB4 ($0.11) per unit.

The Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) said this master plan will form the guidelines for relevant public and private sectors to follow to ensure the country’s energy stability, achieve the net zero target in 2065, and comply with global regulations and trade agreements.

EPPO general director Weerapat Kiatfuengfoo said the national plan will incorporate five energy-related plans to ensure they progress along the same course, namely the Power Development Plan (PDP) for 2024-2037, the Alternative Energy Development Plan (AEDP), the Energy Efficiency Plan (EEP), the Gas Plan, and the Oil Plan.

The PDP and EEP plans will be the first to undergo the public hearing process, which is scheduled for June 12-13, he said, adding the PDP 2024 will focus on promoting the country’s energy security, reducing environmental impact and capping energy cost at under 4THB per unit to reduce the financial burden on the public and entrepreneurs.

The ministry will consider constructing power plants that use new technology, including pumped storage hydropower and small modular reactors.

Weerapat pointed out that Thailand will need more power plants as projected power usage by 2037 will be around 55,000 to 56,000 megawatts, up from the current 36,000 megawatts.

To help cope with increased usage while minimising environmental impacts, the ratio of power from renewable energy will be adjusted up from 36% of all power currently produced to 51% by 2037, he added.