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Energy in Thailand

Energy in Thailand refers to the production, storage, import and export, and use of energy in the Southeast Asian nation of Thailand. Thailand's energy resources are modest and being depleted. The nation imports most of its oil and significant quantities of natural gas and coal. Its energy consumption has grown at an average rate of 3.3% from 2007 to 2017. Energy from renewables has only recently begun to contribute significant energy.

Growing cities like Bangkok (pictured) are seeing increased energy consumption

There is some disparity in published figures: according to the Ministry of Energy, the country's primary energy consumption was 75.2 Mtoe (million tonnes of oil equivalent, equalling around 875 TWh) in 2013.[1] According to BP, primary energy consumption in 2013 was 118.3 Mtoe, rising to 133 Mtoe in 2018.[2]: 8 

The energy policy of Thailand is characterized by 1) increasing energy consumption efficiency, 2) increasing domestic energy production, 3) increasing the private sector's role in the energy sector, 4) increasing the role of market mechanisms in setting energy prices. These policies have been consistent since the 1990s, despite various changes in governments. The pace and form of industry liberalization and privatization has been highly controversial.

Rasi Salai Dam

Overview edit

Thailand produces roughly one-third of the oil it consumes. It is the second largest importer of oil in SE Asia.[citation needed] Thailand is a producer of natural gas, with proved, but limited, reserves of at least 0.2 trillion cubic metres as of 2018.[2]: 30  Thailand trails Indonesia and Vietnam in coal production, and the coal it produces is of mediocre quality. It must import coal to meet domestic demand, primarily electricity generation.[citation needed]

Oil edit

 
Offshore production wasn't enough to bring the country close to self-reliance.
  • Production: Thailand first began producing oil[3] in 1981, when it started producing 2,000 barrels (84,000 US gallons) per day. By 2013, daily production had increased to 459,000 barrels. Proved oil reserves are estimated at 0.3 thousand million barrels, giving it a reserves-to-production ratio (R/P) of 1.8. meaning that its oil is virtually exhausted.[2]: 14  Indications are that Thai oil peaked in 2016 at 486,000 barrels per day.[4]
  • Consumption: Thailand's consumption in 2018 was 65.8 Mtoe, up 2.2% over the previous year.[2]: 21 

Gas edit

 
Much of the country's gas is imported.

Thailand's proved natural gas reserves amount to 0.2 trillion m3. Its production in 2018 was 37.7 billion m3 (32.4 Mtoe) giving it an R/P ratio of only five years. It consumed 49.9 billion m3, making up the shortfall with 6.2 billion m3 in liquid natural gas (LNG) imports and 7.8 billion m3 via pipeline from Myanmar.[2]: 30–41 

Natural gas fuels approximately 60–65% of Thailand's electrical power generation.[5] The Erawan gas field in the Gulf of Thailand supplies about 20% of Thailand's gas production. The field is estimated to have a capacity of 885 million cubic feet (c. 25 million m3) per day.[6]

Coal edit

 
Coal burner in Thailand

As of 2018, Thailand had proved reserves of 1,063 million tonnes of sub-bituminous coal and lignite. In 2018, it produced 3.8 Mtoe, down 8.5% from 2017. It consumed 18.5 Mtoe in 2018, meaning it imported approximately 15 Mtoe. Its reserves-to-production ratio is 72 (years).[2]: 42–47 

Renewables edit

Thailand's consumption of renewable energy in 2018 was 4 Mtoe, growing at a CAGR of 0.7% for the period 2008–2017. Biomass was the leading contributor of renewable energy, solar second, and wind third. Biofuels contributed 2119 Ktoe in 2018.[2]: 51–53  The government is promoting the production of biodiesel from palm oil to be blended with conventional diesel with the aim of reducing petroleum imports. The production goal is 5.97 million liters per day in 2021.[7]

In March 2016, the Thai government gave approval for homes and commercial buildings to install solar panels. Each house will be permitted to generate 10 kW and each factory 40 kW. The private sector, despite Thailand's ample solar resources, previously had no right to install power-generation equipment.[8] As of 2021, Thailand is considered as one of the most successful ASEAN countries in promoting and deploying solar energy.[9] The Thai government wants all new cars sold to be electric by the year 2035.[10] Despite progress and ambitious targets, improving renewable energy governance in Thailand is viewed as an important measure to attract more investment in renewable energy sources.[11]

Nuclear edit

Thailand has no nuclear power plants. Earlier plans to produce five gigawatts of electricity by 2025 using nuclear technology were scaled back to 2 GW in the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster.[12]

As memories of Fukushima recede, interest in nuclear power has revived. Seven ASEAN nations, including Thailand, have signed cooperation agreements with Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear energy agency. EGAT is working with China, Japan, and South Korea on nuclear power generation technology and has sent 100 specialists to train for nuclear power plant projects. EGAT plans for up to five percent of the country's power generation to be generated from nuclear by 2036.[13]

Carbon emissions edit

In 2018, Thailand emitted 302.4 Mt of CO2, up 0.8% over 2017, but down from its CAGR of 2.4% during the period 2007–2017.[2]: 57 

In a report issued by the World Bank in December 2023, Thailand's commitment to environmental sustainability was brought into focus, with the country setting ambitious targets to reach net-zero emissions by 2065 and a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The Thai government has begun to implement a carbon pricing mechanism, encompassing carbon taxes and Emission Trading Schemes (ETS), as a pivotal element of its climate policy. These efforts are complemented by a phased withdrawal of fossil fuel subsidies and the introduction of supportive policies aimed at reducing the nation's carbon footprint. The World Bank report underscored the dual benefits of such policies, not only in mitigating climate change but also in reducing the financial and health impacts of air pollution, as evidenced by the substantial costs associated with PM2.5 exposure in Thailand. The report concluded that while the initial steps towards carbon pricing are critical, they would need to be significantly bolstered after 2030, alongside the adoption of additional measures such as the expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure and renewable energy skills development, to achieve the deep emission cuts required for Thailand to meet its climate objectives.[14]

Electricity edit

 
Transmission tower in Samut Prakan Province

Ninety percent of Thai electrical generating capacity is conventional thermal. Oil-fired plants have been replaced by natural gas, which in 2018 generated 65% of Thailand's electricity. Coal-fired plants produce an additional 20%, with the remainder from biomass, hydro, and biogas.[12]

As of 31 May 2018 the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) produces 37% of Thailand's electricity; independent power producers, 35%; small power producers, 19%; and electricity imports, 9%.[15] Electricity is distributed by the Metropolitan Electricity Authority for Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan, and the Provincial Electricity Authority for the remaining 74 provinces.

Electricity Generation by Fuel, 2018 (Terawatt-hours)[2]: 56 
Oil Natural Gas Coal Nuclear Hydro Renewables Total
0.2 116.3 35.8 0 7.6 17.8 177.6

Energy experts working for the World Wildlife Fund have calculated that Thailand and four Mekong Region neighbours could achieve 100% renewable energy electricity generation by 2050. Their study showed that these countries can produce and use electricity from solar power, wind power, biogas, and small run-of-the-river hydroelectricity. The findings conflict with government plans that discount renewables.[16]

Rising temperatures increase electricity demand. It is estimated that cities the size of Bangkok may require as much as 2 gigawatts of additional electricity for each increase of 1 degree Celsius in temperature due to increased demand for air conditioning.[17]

As the April 2024 report highlights, Thailand is facing an extraordinary increase in electricity consumption due to an ongoing severe heat wave. The country recorded a historic peak in electricity usage at 34,443.1 megawatts, surpassing the previous record of 34,130.5 megawatts set in May 2023. This significant spike in power usage is primarily driven by the revival of key sectors such as business and tourism, which are still rebounding alongside the extreme temperatures. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has acknowledged this trend and now anticipates that electricity demand may further escalate, potentially exceeding 35,000 megawatts in the near future.[18]

History of the electricity sector edit

Anand Panyarachun government edit

The government of Anand Panyarachun (1991-1992) began the process of energy industry liberalisation. Its reforms included:

  • Allowing private companies, independent power producers (IPPs), to build and operate power generation plants, selling all of their output to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT)
  • Allowing smaller private companies, SPPs or small power producers, to build and operate small power generation plants (mostly co-generation plants), selling a portion of their output to EGAT
  • Delegating to the National Energy Policy Organisation (NEPO) the task of developing a master plan for the privatisation of EGAT. Piyasawat Amranand, head of NEPO, designed a plan which would closely replicate the English power pool, break EGAT up into several smaller companies, and privatise the smaller companies.

Chuan Leekpai government edit

The subsequent government of Chuan Leekpai (1992-1995, 1997-2001) continued Anand's policies, with Sawit Bhodivihok taking a leading role in industry reform. The reforms were fiercely attacked by members of the EGAT, Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), and Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) unions. As a result, no significant changes in industry structure or ownership occurred during Chuan's term.

Thaksin Shinawatra government edit

Refining and pipelines edit

In September 2001, the National Energy Policy Office approved the partial listing of PTT, the state-owned oil and gas company.[19]

PTT swiftly became the largest company by market capitalisation upon listing in the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). PTT greatly profited from the global increase in worldwide oil prices following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and the rise in its stock price helped propel the SET to a boom. However, anti-Thaksin critics have claimed that PTT's bull run was due to manipulation by Thaksin.[20]

Electricity generation and transmission edit
 
Electrical power grid with 500 kV (brown), 225 kV (green) and 110 kV (blue) lines in 2022

Like Chuan, Thaksin repeatedly attempted to privatise the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). One of the goals of the privatisation was to raise 42 billion baht from the IPO and use the funds to invest in three new natural-gas powered power plants.

In early 2004, massive employee protests forced the EGAT governor to resign, thus delaying the planned privatisation of the state enterprise. Governor Kraisri Karnasuta worked with employees to address their concerns about the privatisation, and by December 2004, it was claimed that approximately 80% of employees supported privatisation.[21] Permanent protest stages and tents at the EGAT headquarters were taken down as the state enterprise returned to normal. After the Mahachon Party (the only party that was officially against privatisation of state enterprises) won only two seats in the February 2005 parliamentary elections, the process of EGAT's privatisation was restarted. The agency was corporatized in June 2005, transforming it from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand to EGAT PLC. However, EGAT's privatisation was abruptly delayed when some NGOs and some union members filed a petition with the Supreme Court a few days before the scheduled listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET).[22]

On 23 March 2006, the Supreme Administrative Court ruled against the privatisation of EGAT PLC, citing conflicts of interest, public hearing irregularities, and the continued right of expropriation.[23][24] The court said that Olarn Chaipravat, a board member of PTT and Shin Corporation[25] (both business partners of EGAT), was on a committee involved in the legal preparation of Egat's privatisation. The court questioned the neutrality of Parinya Nutalai, chair of the public hearing panel on the EGAT listing, because he was Vice Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment.

It also ruled that insufficient opportunities were given to EGAT employees to make themselves heard. There was only one public hearing for employees, which only 1,057 attended. Lastly, EGAT PLC continued to have the right to expropriate public land to build power plants and transmission lines, a right reserved for the state. Two decrees were nullified: one ordering the dissolution of the status of EGAT as a state enterprise, and the other serving as a new charter for EGAT PLC.

Union leaders and anti-Thaksin protesters cheered the ruling, and called for the denationalisation of other privatised state enterprises, such as PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) and Thai Airways International (both privatized in 1992),[26][27] PTT PCL, TOT PCL, MCOT PCL, Thailand Post Co Ltd, and CAT Telecom PCL.[28] Like EGAT, PTT also retained land expropriation rights after it was privatised. However, this was one of the grounds for the nullification of the EGAT privatisation. Caretaker Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya has noted that the delisting and denationalisation of PTT could force the government to borrow massively from foreign institutions.[29]

Some criticised that the listing of PTT on the SET on the grounds that it represented a massive transfer of public assets for the benefit of few people. Though the government initially accepted over 100,000 first-time investors, there were reports that the majority of the shares for sale to retail investors had been reserved for politicians, the banks' preferred clients, and journalists, leaving many retail investors, who stood in long lines to wait, to return home empty-handed. A nephew of Suriya Juengrungruangkit, the minister of Industry overseeing PTT and TRT Party secretary general, for example, was reported to have acquired 22 times the maximum number of PTT shares distributed to retail investors.[30]

Fears of this being repeated were often cited as the reason why EGAT's privatisation was delayed indefinitely. Another key argument for delaying privatisation was that privatisation preceded the establishment of an independent energy regulatory authority. In international experience, there are no examples of successful monopoly utility privatisation without regulatory oversight. Under pressure, Thaksin's government formed an interim electricity regulatory body, but some charged that it lacked authority to force compliance, levy fines, or punish defaulters.[31] EGAT employee concerns about employment security were also common. Some expressed concern that partial ownership of Thailand's largest electricity producer by foreign shareholders would impact national security and cause conflicts of interest.

Anti-privatisation petitioners (including the Confederation of Consumer Organisations, People Living with HIV/Aids, Alternative Energy Project for Sustainability, Free Trade Area Watch, and the Four Region Slum Network[32]) were harshly criticised by both Thai and international investors, who accused them of using corrupt tactics in delaying the listing. They also pointed to the public mandate of the 2005 election, during which the only anti-privatisation party suffered a near complete loss. International power sector governance experts from Harvard University, University of Delaware, and the World Resources Institute lauded the successful repeal of EGAT privatisation as an important step towards increased accountability and transparency in the Thai energy industry.

International Electricity Exchanges edit

In 2020, Thailand imported 29.55 TWh of electricity and exported 2.62 TWh. With an import balance of 26.93 TWh, it ranks third globally among electricity importers, behind the United States (47.3 TWh) and Italy (32.2 TWh).[33]

In 2021, eight Laotian power plants, with a combined generation capacity of 5,420 MW, are committed to exporting their production to Thailand. Among these, seven are hydroelectric plants (3,947 MW) and one is a coal-fired plant (1,473 MW). In August 2021, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), the Thai state-owned electricity company, plans to import an additional 1,200 MW from Laos' hydropower plants under a long-term purchase contract, bringing the total purchases to 10,200 MW21.[34]

Thailand's Power Development Plan, 2015-2036 edit

According to Thailand's Power Development Plan for 2015-2036,[35][36] the country intends to build 20 additional gas-powered electrical generating stations (17,728 MWe), nine "clean coal" power stations (7,390 MWe), and 14,206 MW of renewable energy, including hydro, a large proportion of which will be imported from Laos or Myanmar. Up to two nuclear plants are also in the plans.[37]

Critics charge that power needs are overstated. Thailand plans for a reserve margin—the amount of energy available over that used at peak demand—of 15%. However, the plan identifies reserve margins as high as 39% in some years. The root cause is that Thailand regularly overestimates its economic growth, assuming it to be over four percent when it is historically around three percent.[37]

The role of imported hydro is also at issue. In 2015, hydro accounted for approximately seven percent of Thailand's power output. Under the plan, it will rise to 15-20% by 2036, and additional hydro will be imported from the Xayaburi Dam in Laos on the Mekong River and from the Hat Gyi and Mong Ton dams in Myanmar. While these sources may look clean on Thailand's balance sheets, the devastating environmental impacts to locals are simply outsourced.[37]

Many have asked why Thailand pursues a few very large coal power plants when it could be adopting safer, possibly cheaper routes, such as biomass reactors, like the 40 MWe plant operated by Double A in Prachinburi using wood and offcuts. The answer may lie in the fact that large, centralised mega-projects benefit the centralised system of project approval. With a public sector corruption rate of 25%, according to the Thai Chamber of Commerce,[38] they can be very beneficial for unscrupulous officials. One reason, however, is the required base load of electricity.[37]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Energy in Thailand, Facts & Figures 2013" (PDF). Department of Alternative Energy Development & Efficiency. (PDF) from the original on 11 September 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2019 (PDF) (68th ed.). London: BP. 2019. (PDF) from the original on 2020-10-17. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
  3. ^ Includes crude oil, tight oil, oil sands, NGLs (natural gas liquids). Excludes liquid fuels from biomass and coal/NG derivatives.
  4. ^ "Oil: Entities past peak production". Energy Data Book. from the original on 27 February 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  5. ^ "Chevron Thailand to cut 800 jobs". Bangkok Post. Reuters. 16 May 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  6. ^ "Chevron to cut 800 workers". Bangkok Post. 17 May 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  7. ^ Ratchaniphont, Adisorn; Wongsai, Sangdao; Keson, Jutaporn. "Trend of carbon dioxide emission from oil palm plantation in Krabi, Thailand" (PDF). North Sea Conference & Journal. (PDF) from the original on 14 October 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  8. ^ Theparat, Chatrudee (2016-03-12). "Solar rooftops, electric vehicles okayed". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  9. ^ Overland, Indra; Sagbakken, Haakon Fossum; Chan, Hoy-Yen; Merdekawati, Monika; Suryadi, Beni; Utama, Nuki Agya; Vakulchuk, Roman (December 2021). "The ASEAN climate and energy paradox". Energy and Climate Change. 2: 100019. doi:10.1016/j.egycc.2020.100019. hdl:11250/2734506.
  10. ^ Thanthong-Knight, Randy (22 April 2021). "Thailand Lays Out Bold EV Plan, Wants All Electric Cars by 2035". Bloomberg. from the original on 22 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  11. ^ Vakulchuk, R., Chan, H.Y., Kresnawan, M.R., Merdekawati, M., Overland, I., Sagbakken, H.F., Suryadi, B., Utama, N.A. and Yurnaidi, Z. 2020. Thailand: Improving the Business Climate for Renewable Energy Investment, ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) Policy Brief Series, No 12. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341794262 2021-12-05 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ a b "International Index of Energy Security Risk" (PDF). Institute for 21st Century Energy. Institute for 21st Century Energy. 2013. (PDF) from the original on 4 January 2015. Retrieved 14 Sep 2014.
  13. ^ Rujivanarom, Pratch (13 June 2016). "With Russian help, region looks to a nuclear-powered future". The Nation. from the original on 13 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  14. ^ "Thailand Economic Monitor December 2023: Thailand's Path to Carbon Neutrality - The Role of Carbon Pricing". World Bank. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  15. ^ Rujivanarom, Pratch (25 June 2018). "Renewable energy should be focus of new power plan: expert". The Nation. from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  16. ^ Rujivanarom, Pratch (2016-05-25). "Mekong region could rely on 100% clean energy by 2050: WWF". The Nation. from the original on 2016-06-02. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  17. ^ Shankleman, Jessica; Foroohar, Kambiz (19 July 2016). "Soaring Temperatures Will Make It Too Hot to Work, UN Warns". Bloomberg. from the original on 5 December 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  18. ^ Mail, Pattaya (2024-04-07). "Record-breaking heat wave leads to historic electricity consumption in Thailand". Pattaya Mail. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  19. ^ "Alexander's Gas & Oil Connections - Thailand's energy office approves PTT's listing scheme". from the original on 2006-10-18. Retrieved 2006-06-11.
  20. ^ Pinkaew, Tul (10 January 2006). . Bangkok Post. AsiaMedia. Archived from the original on 21 July 2006. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  21. ^ . Archived from the original on April 17, 2014. Retrieved 2014-04-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  22. ^ "Delayed Egat listing would hit confidence". from the original on 2006-09-07. Retrieved 2006-06-11.
  23. ^ "Court quashes Egat listing". from the original on 2015-05-10. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  24. ^ "Court ends privatisation of Egat". from the original on 2006-09-07. Retrieved 2006-06-11.
  25. ^ . Archived from the original on March 25, 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  26. ^ . Archived from the original on May 25, 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  27. ^ . Archived from the original on May 12, 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  28. ^ . Archived from the original on March 27, 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) (in English)
  29. ^ "PTT braces itself for legal action". from the original on 2006-04-23. Retrieved 2006-06-11.
  30. ^
  31. ^ . Archived from the original on February 2, 2010. Retrieved 2006-06-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  32. ^ . Archived from the original on February 2, 2010. Retrieved 2006-06-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  33. ^ Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{lang-en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead. Energy Statistics Data Browser : Thailand Electricity 2020, Agence internationale de l'énergie, 2 décembre 2022.
  34. ^ Thaïlande - EGAT importe 1 200 MW supplémentaires depuis le Laos dans le cadre d’un accord à long terme, Business France, 13 août 2021.
  35. ^ "National Energy Policy Committee approves Thailand's power development plan (PDP 2015)". Royal Thai Government. from the original on 3 February 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  36. ^ Pichalai, Chavalit. (PDF). Ministry of Energy (Thailand). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 January 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  37. ^ a b c d Draper, John; Kamnuansilpa, Peerasit (2015-08-27). "Thailand's power dilemma amid a climate of fear". The Nation. from the original on 2015-08-28. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  38. ^ Arunmas, Pusadee (17 Jan 2014). "Corruption 'still plagues Thailand'". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 27 August 2015.

External links edit

  • Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) 2018-01-26 at the Wayback Machine
  • Google Earth Map of the oil and gas infrastructure in Thailand
  • Thailand Electricity Security Assessment, 2016

energy, thailand, this, article, lead, section, short, adequately, summarize, points, please, consider, expanding, lead, provide, accessible, overview, important, aspects, article, april, 2019, refers, production, storage, import, export, energy, southeast, as. This article s lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article April 2019 Energy in Thailand refers to the production storage import and export and use of energy in the Southeast Asian nation of Thailand Thailand s energy resources are modest and being depleted The nation imports most of its oil and significant quantities of natural gas and coal Its energy consumption has grown at an average rate of 3 3 from 2007 to 2017 Energy from renewables has only recently begun to contribute significant energy Growing cities like Bangkok pictured are seeing increased energy consumptionThere is some disparity in published figures according to the Ministry of Energy the country s primary energy consumption was 75 2 Mtoe million tonnes of oil equivalent equalling around 875 TWh in 2013 1 According to BP primary energy consumption in 2013 was 118 3 Mtoe rising to 133 Mtoe in 2018 2 8 The energy policy of Thailand is characterized by 1 increasing energy consumption efficiency 2 increasing domestic energy production 3 increasing the private sector s role in the energy sector 4 increasing the role of market mechanisms in setting energy prices These policies have been consistent since the 1990s despite various changes in governments The pace and form of industry liberalization and privatization has been highly controversial Rasi Salai DamContents 1 Overview 2 Oil 3 Gas 4 Coal 5 Renewables 6 Nuclear 7 Carbon emissions 8 Electricity 8 1 History of the electricity sector 8 1 1 Anand Panyarachun government 8 1 2 Chuan Leekpai government 8 1 3 Thaksin Shinawatra government 8 1 3 1 Refining and pipelines 8 1 3 2 Electricity generation and transmission 8 2 International Electricity Exchanges 9 Thailand s Power Development Plan 2015 2036 10 See also 11 References 12 External linksOverview editThailand produces roughly one third of the oil it consumes It is the second largest importer of oil in SE Asia citation needed Thailand is a producer of natural gas with proved but limited reserves of at least 0 2 trillion cubic metres as of 2018 update 2 30 Thailand trails Indonesia and Vietnam in coal production and the coal it produces is of mediocre quality It must import coal to meet domestic demand primarily electricity generation citation needed Oil edit nbsp Offshore production wasn t enough to bring the country close to self reliance Production Thailand first began producing oil 3 in 1981 when it started producing 2 000 barrels 84 000 US gallons per day By 2013 daily production had increased to 459 000 barrels Proved oil reserves are estimated at 0 3 thousand million barrels giving it a reserves to production ratio R P of 1 8 meaning that its oil is virtually exhausted 2 14 Indications are that Thai oil peaked in 2016 at 486 000 barrels per day 4 Consumption Thailand s consumption in 2018 was 65 8 Mtoe up 2 2 over the previous year 2 21 Gas edit nbsp Much of the country s gas is imported Thailand s proved natural gas reserves amount to 0 2 trillion m3 Its production in 2018 was 37 7 billion m3 32 4 Mtoe giving it an R P ratio of only five years It consumed 49 9 billion m3 making up the shortfall with 6 2 billion m3 in liquid natural gas LNG imports and 7 8 billion m3 via pipeline from Myanmar 2 30 41 Natural gas fuels approximately 60 65 of Thailand s electrical power generation 5 The Erawan gas field in the Gulf of Thailand supplies about 20 of Thailand s gas production The field is estimated to have a capacity of 885 million cubic feet c 25 million m3 per day 6 Coal edit nbsp Coal burner in ThailandAs of 2018 update Thailand had proved reserves of 1 063 million tonnes of sub bituminous coal and lignite In 2018 it produced 3 8 Mtoe down 8 5 from 2017 It consumed 18 5 Mtoe in 2018 meaning it imported approximately 15 Mtoe Its reserves to production ratio is 72 years 2 42 47 Renewables editMain article Renewable energy in Thailand Thailand s consumption of renewable energy in 2018 was 4 Mtoe growing at a CAGR of 0 7 for the period 2008 2017 Biomass was the leading contributor of renewable energy solar second and wind third Biofuels contributed 2119 Ktoe in 2018 2 51 53 The government is promoting the production of biodiesel from palm oil to be blended with conventional diesel with the aim of reducing petroleum imports The production goal is 5 97 million liters per day in 2021 7 In March 2016 the Thai government gave approval for homes and commercial buildings to install solar panels Each house will be permitted to generate 10 kW and each factory 40 kW The private sector despite Thailand s ample solar resources previously had no right to install power generation equipment 8 As of 2021 Thailand is considered as one of the most successful ASEAN countries in promoting and deploying solar energy 9 The Thai government wants all new cars sold to be electric by the year 2035 10 Despite progress and ambitious targets improving renewable energy governance in Thailand is viewed as an important measure to attract more investment in renewable energy sources 11 Nuclear editMain article Nuclear power in Thailand Thailand has no nuclear power plants Earlier plans to produce five gigawatts of electricity by 2025 using nuclear technology were scaled back to 2 GW in the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster 12 As memories of Fukushima recede interest in nuclear power has revived Seven ASEAN nations including Thailand have signed cooperation agreements with Rosatom Russia s state nuclear energy agency EGAT is working with China Japan and South Korea on nuclear power generation technology and has sent 100 specialists to train for nuclear power plant projects EGAT plans for up to five percent of the country s power generation to be generated from nuclear by 2036 13 Carbon emissions editFurther information Climate change in Thailand In 2018 Thailand emitted 302 4 Mt of CO2 up 0 8 over 2017 but down from its CAGR of 2 4 during the period 2007 2017 2 57 In a report issued by the World Bank in December 2023 Thailand s commitment to environmental sustainability was brought into focus with the country setting ambitious targets to reach net zero emissions by 2065 and a 30 reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 The Thai government has begun to implement a carbon pricing mechanism encompassing carbon taxes and Emission Trading Schemes ETS as a pivotal element of its climate policy These efforts are complemented by a phased withdrawal of fossil fuel subsidies and the introduction of supportive policies aimed at reducing the nation s carbon footprint The World Bank report underscored the dual benefits of such policies not only in mitigating climate change but also in reducing the financial and health impacts of air pollution as evidenced by the substantial costs associated with PM2 5 exposure in Thailand The report concluded that while the initial steps towards carbon pricing are critical they would need to be significantly bolstered after 2030 alongside the adoption of additional measures such as the expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure and renewable energy skills development to achieve the deep emission cuts required for Thailand to meet its climate objectives 14 Electricity edit nbsp Transmission tower in Samut Prakan ProvinceNinety percent of Thai electrical generating capacity is conventional thermal Oil fired plants have been replaced by natural gas which in 2018 generated 65 of Thailand s electricity Coal fired plants produce an additional 20 with the remainder from biomass hydro and biogas 12 As of 31 May 2018 update the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand EGAT produces 37 of Thailand s electricity independent power producers 35 small power producers 19 and electricity imports 9 15 Electricity is distributed by the Metropolitan Electricity Authority for Bangkok Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan and the Provincial Electricity Authority for the remaining 74 provinces Electricity Generation by Fuel 2018 Terawatt hours 2 56 Oil Natural Gas Coal Nuclear Hydro Renewables Total0 2 116 3 35 8 0 7 6 17 8 177 6Energy experts working for the World Wildlife Fund have calculated that Thailand and four Mekong Region neighbours could achieve 100 renewable energy electricity generation by 2050 Their study showed that these countries can produce and use electricity from solar power wind power biogas and small run of the river hydroelectricity The findings conflict with government plans that discount renewables 16 Rising temperatures increase electricity demand It is estimated that cities the size of Bangkok may require as much as 2 gigawatts of additional electricity for each increase of 1 degree Celsius in temperature due to increased demand for air conditioning 17 As the April 2024 report highlights Thailand is facing an extraordinary increase in electricity consumption due to an ongoing severe heat wave The country recorded a historic peak in electricity usage at 34 443 1 megawatts surpassing the previous record of 34 130 5 megawatts set in May 2023 This significant spike in power usage is primarily driven by the revival of key sectors such as business and tourism which are still rebounding alongside the extreme temperatures The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand EGAT has acknowledged this trend and now anticipates that electricity demand may further escalate potentially exceeding 35 000 megawatts in the near future 18 History of the electricity sector edit Anand Panyarachun government edit The government of Anand Panyarachun 1991 1992 began the process of energy industry liberalisation Its reforms included Allowing private companies independent power producers IPPs to build and operate power generation plants selling all of their output to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand EGAT Allowing smaller private companies SPPs or small power producers to build and operate small power generation plants mostly co generation plants selling a portion of their output to EGAT Delegating to the National Energy Policy Organisation NEPO the task of developing a master plan for the privatisation of EGAT Piyasawat Amranand head of NEPO designed a plan which would closely replicate the English power pool break EGAT up into several smaller companies and privatise the smaller companies Chuan Leekpai government edit The subsequent government of Chuan Leekpai 1992 1995 1997 2001 continued Anand s policies with Sawit Bhodivihok taking a leading role in industry reform The reforms were fiercely attacked by members of the EGAT Metropolitan Electricity Authority MEA and Provincial Electricity Authority PEA unions As a result no significant changes in industry structure or ownership occurred during Chuan s term Thaksin Shinawatra government edit Refining and pipelines edit In September 2001 the National Energy Policy Office approved the partial listing of PTT the state owned oil and gas company 19 PTT swiftly became the largest company by market capitalisation upon listing in the Stock Exchange of Thailand SET PTT greatly profited from the global increase in worldwide oil prices following the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the rise in its stock price helped propel the SET to a boom However anti Thaksin critics have claimed that PTT s bull run was due to manipulation by Thaksin 20 Electricity generation and transmission edit nbsp Electrical power grid with 500 kV brown 225 kV green and 110 kV blue lines in 2022Like Chuan Thaksin repeatedly attempted to privatise the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand EGAT One of the goals of the privatisation was to raise 42 billion baht from the IPO and use the funds to invest in three new natural gas powered power plants In early 2004 massive employee protests forced the EGAT governor to resign thus delaying the planned privatisation of the state enterprise Governor Kraisri Karnasuta worked with employees to address their concerns about the privatisation and by December 2004 it was claimed that approximately 80 of employees supported privatisation 21 Permanent protest stages and tents at the EGAT headquarters were taken down as the state enterprise returned to normal After the Mahachon Party the only party that was officially against privatisation of state enterprises won only two seats in the February 2005 parliamentary elections the process of EGAT s privatisation was restarted The agency was corporatized in June 2005 transforming it from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand to EGAT PLC However EGAT s privatisation was abruptly delayed when some NGOs and some union members filed a petition with the Supreme Court a few days before the scheduled listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand SET 22 On 23 March 2006 the Supreme Administrative Court ruled against the privatisation of EGAT PLC citing conflicts of interest public hearing irregularities and the continued right of expropriation 23 24 The court said that Olarn Chaipravat a board member of PTT and Shin Corporation 25 both business partners of EGAT was on a committee involved in the legal preparation of Egat s privatisation The court questioned the neutrality of Parinya Nutalai chair of the public hearing panel on the EGAT listing because he was Vice Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment It also ruled that insufficient opportunities were given to EGAT employees to make themselves heard There was only one public hearing for employees which only 1 057 attended Lastly EGAT PLC continued to have the right to expropriate public land to build power plants and transmission lines a right reserved for the state Two decrees were nullified one ordering the dissolution of the status of EGAT as a state enterprise and the other serving as a new charter for EGAT PLC Union leaders and anti Thaksin protesters cheered the ruling and called for the denationalisation of other privatised state enterprises such as PTT Exploration and Production PTTEP and Thai Airways International both privatized in 1992 26 27 PTT PCL TOT PCL MCOT PCL Thailand Post Co Ltd and CAT Telecom PCL 28 Like EGAT PTT also retained land expropriation rights after it was privatised However this was one of the grounds for the nullification of the EGAT privatisation Caretaker Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya has noted that the delisting and denationalisation of PTT could force the government to borrow massively from foreign institutions 29 Some criticised that the listing of PTT on the SET on the grounds that it represented a massive transfer of public assets for the benefit of few people Though the government initially accepted over 100 000 first time investors there were reports that the majority of the shares for sale to retail investors had been reserved for politicians the banks preferred clients and journalists leaving many retail investors who stood in long lines to wait to return home empty handed A nephew of Suriya Juengrungruangkit the minister of Industry overseeing PTT and TRT Party secretary general for example was reported to have acquired 22 times the maximum number of PTT shares distributed to retail investors 30 Fears of this being repeated were often cited as the reason why EGAT s privatisation was delayed indefinitely Another key argument for delaying privatisation was that privatisation preceded the establishment of an independent energy regulatory authority In international experience there are no examples of successful monopoly utility privatisation without regulatory oversight Under pressure Thaksin s government formed an interim electricity regulatory body but some charged that it lacked authority to force compliance levy fines or punish defaulters 31 EGAT employee concerns about employment security were also common Some expressed concern that partial ownership of Thailand s largest electricity producer by foreign shareholders would impact national security and cause conflicts of interest Anti privatisation petitioners including the Confederation of Consumer Organisations People Living with HIV Aids Alternative Energy Project for Sustainability Free Trade Area Watch and the Four Region Slum Network 32 were harshly criticised by both Thai and international investors who accused them of using corrupt tactics in delaying the listing They also pointed to the public mandate of the 2005 election during which the only anti privatisation party suffered a near complete loss International power sector governance experts from Harvard University University of Delaware and the World Resources Institute lauded the successful repeal of EGAT privatisation as an important step towards increased accountability and transparency in the Thai energy industry International Electricity Exchanges edit In 2020 Thailand imported 29 55 TWh of electricity and exported 2 62 TWh With an import balance of 26 93 TWh it ranks third globally among electricity importers behind the United States 47 3 TWh and Italy 32 2 TWh 33 In 2021 eight Laotian power plants with a combined generation capacity of 5 420 MW are committed to exporting their production to Thailand Among these seven are hydroelectric plants 3 947 MW and one is a coal fired plant 1 473 MW In August 2021 the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand EGAT the Thai state owned electricity company plans to import an additional 1 200 MW from Laos hydropower plants under a long term purchase contract bringing the total purchases to 10 200 MW21 34 Thailand s Power Development Plan 2015 2036 editAccording to Thailand s Power Development Plan for 2015 2036 35 36 the country intends to build 20 additional gas powered electrical generating stations 17 728 MWe nine clean coal power stations 7 390 MWe and 14 206 MW of renewable energy including hydro a large proportion of which will be imported from Laos or Myanmar Up to two nuclear plants are also in the plans 37 Critics charge that power needs are overstated Thailand plans for a reserve margin the amount of energy available over that used at peak demand of 15 However the plan identifies reserve margins as high as 39 in some years The root cause is that Thailand regularly overestimates its economic growth assuming it to be over four percent when it is historically around three percent 37 The role of imported hydro is also at issue In 2015 hydro accounted for approximately seven percent of Thailand s power output Under the plan it will rise to 15 20 by 2036 and additional hydro will be imported from the Xayaburi Dam in Laos on the Mekong River and from the Hat Gyi and Mong Ton dams in Myanmar While these sources may look clean on Thailand s balance sheets the devastating environmental impacts to locals are simply outsourced 37 Many have asked why Thailand pursues a few very large coal power plants when it could be adopting safer possibly cheaper routes such as biomass reactors like the 40 MWe plant operated by Double A in Prachinburi using wood and offcuts The answer may lie in the fact that large centralised mega projects benefit the centralised system of project approval With a public sector corruption rate of 25 according to the Thai Chamber of Commerce 38 they can be very beneficial for unscrupulous officials One reason however is the required base load of electricity 37 See also editEconomy of Thailand Energy Nuclear power in Thailand Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand Metropolitan Electricity Authority Provincial Electricity AuthorityReferences edit Energy in Thailand Facts amp Figures 2013 PDF Department of Alternative Energy Development amp Efficiency Archived PDF from the original on 11 September 2014 Retrieved 5 September 2014 a b c d e f g h i BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2019 PDF 68th ed London BP 2019 Archived PDF from the original on 2020 10 17 Retrieved 2019 09 27 Includes crude oil tight oil oil sands NGLs natural gas liquids Excludes liquid fuels from biomass and coal NG derivatives Oil Entities past peak production Energy Data Book Archived from the original on 27 February 2020 Retrieved 27 February 2020 Chevron Thailand to cut 800 jobs Bangkok Post Reuters 16 May 2016 Retrieved 17 May 2016 Chevron to cut 800 workers Bangkok Post 17 May 2016 Retrieved 17 May 2016 Ratchaniphont Adisorn Wongsai Sangdao Keson Jutaporn Trend of carbon dioxide emission from oil palm plantation in Krabi Thailand PDF North Sea Conference amp Journal Archived PDF from the original on 14 October 2016 Retrieved 4 October 2016 Theparat Chatrudee 2016 03 12 Solar rooftops electric vehicles okayed Bangkok Post Retrieved 12 March 2016 Overland Indra Sagbakken Haakon Fossum Chan Hoy Yen Merdekawati Monika Suryadi Beni Utama Nuki Agya Vakulchuk Roman December 2021 The ASEAN climate and energy paradox Energy and Climate Change 2 100019 doi 10 1016 j egycc 2020 100019 hdl 11250 2734506 Thanthong Knight Randy 22 April 2021 Thailand Lays Out Bold EV Plan Wants All Electric Cars by 2035 Bloomberg Archived from the original on 22 April 2021 Retrieved 23 April 2021 Vakulchuk R Chan H Y Kresnawan M R Merdekawati M Overland I Sagbakken H F Suryadi B Utama N A and Yurnaidi Z 2020 Thailand Improving the Business Climate for Renewable Energy Investment ASEAN Centre for Energy ACE Policy Brief Series No 12 https www researchgate net publication 341794262 Archived 2021 12 05 at the Wayback Machine a b International Index of Energy Security Risk PDF Institute for 21st Century Energy Institute for 21st Century Energy 2013 Archived PDF from the original on 4 January 2015 Retrieved 14 Sep 2014 Rujivanarom Pratch 13 June 2016 With Russian help region looks to a nuclear powered future The Nation Archived from the original on 13 June 2016 Retrieved 14 June 2016 Thailand Economic Monitor December 2023 Thailand s Path to Carbon Neutrality The Role of Carbon Pricing World Bank Retrieved 2024 03 24 Rujivanarom Pratch 25 June 2018 Renewable energy should be focus of new power plan expert The Nation Archived from the original on 24 June 2018 Retrieved 25 June 2018 Rujivanarom Pratch 2016 05 25 Mekong region could rely on 100 clean energy by 2050 WWF The Nation Archived from the original on 2016 06 02 Retrieved 14 June 2016 Shankleman Jessica Foroohar Kambiz 19 July 2016 Soaring Temperatures Will Make It Too Hot to Work UN Warns Bloomberg Archived from the original on 5 December 2019 Retrieved 21 July 2016 Mail Pattaya 2024 04 07 Record breaking heat wave leads to historic electricity consumption in Thailand Pattaya Mail Retrieved 2024 04 12 Alexander s Gas amp Oil Connections Thailand s energy office approves PTT s listing scheme Archived from the original on 2006 10 18 Retrieved 2006 06 11 Pinkaew Tul 10 January 2006 THAILAND PM s cronies big winners says study Bangkok Post AsiaMedia Archived from the original on 21 July 2006 Retrieved 25 June 2018 Egat employees say that union leader must go Archived from the original on April 17 2014 Retrieved 2014 04 17 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint bot original URL status unknown link Delayed Egat listing would hit confidence Archived from the original on 2006 09 07 Retrieved 2006 06 11 Court quashes Egat listing Archived from the original on 2015 05 10 Retrieved 2014 04 17 Court ends privatisation of Egat Archived from the original on 2006 09 07 Retrieved 2006 06 11 PTT Public Company Limited Archived from the original on March 25 2006 Retrieved 2006 06 11 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint bot original URL status unknown link About THAI Archived from the original on May 25 2006 Retrieved 2006 06 11 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint bot original URL status unknown link PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited Archived from the original on May 12 2006 Retrieved 2006 06 11 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint bot original URL status unknown link Thailand Post iprsniyithy Archived from the original on March 27 2006 Retrieved 2006 06 11 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint bot original URL status unknown link in English PTT braces itself for legal action Archived from the original on 2006 04 23 Retrieved 2006 06 11 Thailand s Electricity Reforms Privatisation of Benefits and Socialization of Costs and Risks NetMeter org The public interest and the pursuit of profit Archived from the original on February 2 2010 Retrieved 2006 06 11 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint bot original URL status unknown link NetMeter org Egat investors forewarned Archived from the original on February 2 2010 Retrieved 2006 06 11 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint bot original URL status unknown link Transclusion error En is only for use in File namespace Use lang en or in lang en instead Energy Statistics Data Browser Thailand Electricity 2020 Agence internationale de l energie 2 decembre 2022 Thailande EGAT importe 1 200 MW supplementaires depuis le Laos dans le cadre d un accord a long terme Business France 13 aout 2021 National Energy Policy Committee approves Thailand s power development plan PDP 2015 Royal Thai Government Archived from the original on 3 February 2019 Retrieved 27 August 2015 Pichalai Chavalit Thailand s Power Development Plan Thailand s Power Development Plan 2015 PDP 2015 PDF Ministry of Energy Thailand Archived from the original PDF on 24 January 2016 Retrieved 27 August 2015 a b c d Draper John Kamnuansilpa Peerasit 2015 08 27 Thailand s power dilemma amid a climate of fear The Nation Archived from the original on 2015 08 28 Retrieved 27 August 2015 Arunmas Pusadee 17 Jan 2014 Corruption still plagues Thailand Bangkok Post Retrieved 27 August 2015 External links editElectricity Generating Authority of Thailand EGAT Archived 2018 01 26 at the Wayback Machine Energy Policy and Planning Office EPPO National Energy Policy Office NEPO Google Earth Map of the oil and gas infrastructure in Thailand Thailand Electricity Security Assessment 2016 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Energy in Thailand amp oldid 1218492398, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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