Thailand - Power

Total installed capacity of Power in Thailand stood at 40,398 megawatts (MW), of which EGAT owns 39%, while IPPs and SPPs & VSPPs held 36% and 17%, respectively. Imports from Lao PDR and the EGAT-TNB Interconnection System – transmission line linking between Thailand and Malaysia – contributed another 8%. It has a moderate demand growth rate, with electricity consumption increasing from 100.1 TWh to 168.2 TWh at the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.44% over the period from 2002 to 2015.

Thailand mainly relies on natural gas at 67 %. During the last five years, power generation fueled by natural gas, on average, grew 2% per year, while those generated from coal increased 3%. The import and electricity generated by renewable energy rose 16% and 24% per year, respectively.

EGAT, the largest power producer, owns and operates plants with a total installed capacity over 15,000 MW3 , or about 47% of the entire generation system. In addition, EGAT owns and operates the Thailand’s high voltage transmission network.

Private power producers in Thailand are comprised of Independent Power Producers (IPPS) selling electricity to EGAT at capacity greater than 90 MW, Small Independent Power Producers (SPPPs) with capacity sold to EGAT equal or less than 90 MW and Very Small Independent Power Producers (VSPPs) with capacity sold to EGAT equal or less than 10 MW.

Total Generation Capacity of Power of Thailand as of December, 2014.

Classified by technology –

 Combined cycle                                   21,145 MW       56.2 Percent

Thermal                                                7,538 MW         20.0 Percent

Renewable                                           8,476 MW         22.5 Percent

Gas turbine/Diesel generator                153 MW            0.5 Percent

 EGAT-TNB linkage                                300 MW            0.8 Percent

Total                                                     37,612 MW

Classified by power producer –

EGAT 15,482 MW 41.2 Percent –

Independent Power Producers (IPPs)     13,167 MW       35.0 Percent

Small Power Producers (SPPs)               4,530 MW         12.0 Percent

Very Small Power Producers (VSPPs)     2,029 MW         5.4 Percent

Power imports                                      2,404 MW         6.4 Percent

Total                                                     37,612 MW

·         Future Outlook -

In 2036, the total capacity would be 70,335 MW comprising existing capacity of 37,612 MW (as of December 2014), new capacity of 57,459 MW, and retired capacity during 2015-2036 of 24,736 MW as shown below:

Generating capacity during 2015 - 2036 –

Existing capacity as of December 2014 37,612 MW

New capacity during 2015-2036           57,459 MW

Retired capacity during 2015-2036       -24,736 MW

Total capacity in 2036                           70,335 MW