In a significant shift towards sustainable energy, renewable power is poised to surpass electricity generated by fossil-fuel power plants in Thailand within the next two decades. According to the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO), renewable energy is projected to account for 51% of the country’s total electricity supply under the new iteration of the Power Development Plan (PDP). This ambitious target, marking a notable increase from the previous goal of 36% set in the 2018 PDP, is aligned with government initiatives aimed at curbing carbon dioxide emissions to address the pressing issue of global warming.
Veerapat Kiatfuengfoo, Director-General of the EPPO, revealed that the drafting of the 2024 PDP, set to replace its 2018 counterpart, is nearing completion. A public hearing is scheduled from June 12-19 to solicit feedback and opinions on the proposed plan from stakeholders and the general public.
The 2024 PDP, which is slated to be in effect from this year until 2037, forms an integral part of the National Energy Plan (NEP), serving as the country’s blueprint for energy management. The NEP encompasses various components including the Alternative Energy Development Plan, the Energy Efficiency Plan, the Oil Plan, and the Gas Plan.
Under the new PDP, solar power is positioned as a key renewable energy source, with a planned electricity generation capacity of 20,000 megawatts. Additionally, energy officials intend to import 16,000 megawatts of clean energy from neighboring countries, with a particular focus on hydropower plants, to bolster the renewable energy supply.
To address concerns regarding the intermittent output of solar and wind power, which are contingent on weather patterns, the Loss of Load Expectation (LOLE) method will be employed to enhance power supply management. The LOLE method estimates the number of hours in a year during which electricity supply falls short of actual demand.
In pursuit of the goal to increase renewable energy’s share to 51%, the 2024 PDP outlines a reduction in gas usage to 40%, down from the previous 55%. Additional reductions will come from other fuel sources, including coal.
Mr. Veerapat disclosed that the plan also includes initiatives to develop a Small Modular Reactor capable of generating 600 megawatts of electricity from nuclear energy. Furthermore, there are efforts to promote hydrogen as a substitute for gas usage, although a decision between green and blue hydrogen is yet to be made.
