Key facts
- Thailand plans to accelerate renewable energy and introduce nuclear power.
- The country aims to reduce its reliance on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG).
- A new 25-year energy plan will be unveiled in October.
- The goal is for 60% of power generation to come from solar, wind, and hydropower by 2050.
- Thailand expects a surge in power demand due to data centers and advanced manufacturing.
Thailand is set to accelerate its adoption of renewable energy sources and nuclear power to decrease its dependence on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), according to Energy Minister Akanat Promphan. The country, which currently relies on natural gas for over 60% of its electricity generation, is increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical energy supply issues, particularly following disruptions in the Middle East.
Promphan stated in an interview that Thailand aims to build a cleaner and more self-reliant power system. An updated 25-year energy plan, to be unveiled in October, will incorporate more renewables and introduce nuclear power through small modular reactors (SMRs) for the first time. The revised goal is for solar, wind, and hydropower to account for 60% of power generation by 2050, doubling the previous target.
This strategic shift is driven by anticipated soaring power demand in the coming years, fueled by a boom in data centers and advanced manufacturing. Thailand intends to meet this increased demand primarily through domestic energy sources. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) has also suggested that reforming solar policies could further reduce LNG dependence, enhance energy security, and mitigate rising electricity costs.