Thailand's National Energy Policy Council approved a series of measures on Wednesday intended to increase competition in the clean-electricity market and lower household utility costs. Energy Minister Akanat Promphan announced that the government will expand direct renewable-power purchase agreements to include more businesses, allowing them to buy clean energy from producers through third-party grid access.
The approved plan includes the establishment of a 1,500-megawatt community solar program, with individual developers capped at 30 megawatts each. Additionally, the Council will revise existing renewable-energy contracts with smaller producers to align with current generation costs. The energy minister stated that data centers will be subject to separate tariffs and stricter regulations to prevent shifting infrastructure costs onto residential consumers.
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas reported that these initiatives are part of a 200 billion baht ($6 billion) energy transition program. Initial projects under this fund will focus on rooftop solar installations and the conversion of public and commercial transport—including motorcycles, tuk-tuks, and buses—to electric power. The government also plans to provide support for pickup truck owners to transition to biodiesel fuel.