Thailandโs plan to allow renewable power producers to directly sell 2,000 megawatts of electricity to businesses may not be enough to attract new investments, according to the Board of Investment (BoI). The initiative, designed to support companies seeking clean energy, faces growing demand that could surpass the allocated supply.
Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary-general of the BoI, emphasized that investors require not only infrastructure and skilled labor but also sufficient access to renewable energy. Many firms, especially those in digital technology and cloud services, are looking for cleaner power sources to align with global carbon reduction efforts.
“Requests for renewable electricity keep rolling in weekly, meaning the 2,000MW supply may not be enough,” Narit said. The BoI, which reviews applications for investment incentives, is monitoring the situation closely as businesses push for more access to green energy.
In response, authorities are preparing to launch direct power purchase agreements (PPAs), allowing businesses to buy renewable electricity directly. The National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) approved the pilot project last year to enable peer-to-peer power trade in the renewable sector, previously restricted in Thailand. The BoI and energy agencies are now working on implementation, with an expected start in October.
The government is still finalizing criteria for participating power companies and tariff structures. Once in place, businesses nationwide will be able to procure renewable electricity, including those outside the Eastern Economic Corridor.
Prasert Sinsukprasert, permanent secretary for energy, noted that renewable energy is set to play an increasingly important role, with its share in Thailandโs energy mix projected to rise to 51% by 2037. He added that any expansion of the direct PPA program would require approval from the NEPC.
