Energy
From The Report: Thailand 2016
View in Online Reader

Providing the fuel for Thailand’s economic growth engine, the energy sector continues to expand to meet the growing demands of the country. Domestic primary energy consumption is weighted heavily towards fossil fuels, which accounted for 98% of primary energy consumption in 2014. Natural gas has become the fulcrum upon which energy development is now focused in both the hydrocarbons and electricity segments, with the fuel representing 44% of total primary energy usage. In the electricity segment, the concerted strategic shift away from imported fossil fuels towards energy diversification and independence should lead to ample growth in non-hydropower renewable energy and clean coal-fired generation, along with a more limited ongoing expansion in gas-fired power plants. This chapter contains an interview with Veerasak Pungrassamee, Director-General, Department of Mineral Fuels.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Shifting focus: As oil and gas production plateau, the country looks to diversify its energy mix
OBG
plus

Providing the fuel for Thailand’s economic growth engine, the energy sector continues to expand in order to meet the growing demands of the country. Domestic primary energy consumption is weighted heavily towards fossil fuels, which accounted for 98% of primary energy consumption in 2014. Natural gas has become the fulcrum upon which energy development is now focused in both the hydrocarbon and electricity segments, with the fuel representing 44% of total primary energy usage. Oil and gas exploration…

Interview

A diverse outlook: OBG talks to Veerasak Pungrassamee, Director-General, Department of Mineral Fuels
OBG
plus

Interview: Veerasak Pungrassamee What role will mineral fuels continue to play in Thailand’s energy mix moving forward, given its drive toward diversification? VEERASAK PUNGRASSAMEE: Mineral fuels will definitely continue to play an important role in Thailand’s energy mix for the next 20 years at the very least. In the power sector, natural gas and coal-fired power plants will achieve an almost 75% share of power generation by the year 2025. Natural gas remains the main fuel for power generation…

Analysis

Planning ahead: Energy efficiency and increased domestic production are key elements in the power development strategy
OBG
plus

Up to this point, Thailand’s strategy of providing affordable energy to the country primarily by exploiting domestic natural gas supplies – supplemented by foreign imports – has been successful in meeting growing domestic demand while maintaining tariff rates competitive enough to remain attractive for industrial customers. Yet as domestic oil and gas reserves decline and the costs of importing increasing amounts of gas continue to mount, the government rolled out a new power development plan…

Analysis

A new tack: Proposed changes to existing hydrocarbons contract laws are set to potentially restructure the sector
OBG
plus

Thailand’s oil and gas industry has been providing a steady if somewhat limited stream of new hydrocarbons deposits for decades, helping to offset the country’s growing demand for fossil fuels. The industry has remained largely stable over the years by striking a balance between government regulation and private sector incentives which have proven successful in maintaining a consistent pipeline of exploration and production activity. Yet with the arrival of the 21st oil and gas bidding round…

Analysis

Playing catch-up: Setting sights on significant expansion in renewables
OBG
plus

When spiking oil prices and global pressure to address climate change led to a widespread shift in the energy industry towards a greater contribution from renewable energy (RE) in the early 2000s, Thailand largely bucked this trend, preferring instead to double down on traditional fuel sources. Alternative energy sources contribute only a very small fraction of the country’s electricity needs; at just 2.5% of the total primary energy requirements for the country in the first half of 2015, even…