Energy & Utilities
From The Report: Thailand 2017
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At the centre of Thailand’s economic growth, the energy sector is using progressively diverse means to meet the continually increasing demand for energy sources. The country’s growing industrial capacity, ongoing urbanisation and organic population growth are all contributing to rising domestic energy intensity – a trend that policymakers have addressed in a recently unveiled power development plan, which utilises a more varied primary energy mix and greater efficiency to bolster flagging self-sufficiency levels. The sector is working to expand its import and distribution infrastructure to meet growing domestic consumption. This chapter contains interviews with Anantaporn Kanjanarat, Minister of Energy; Piyasvasti Amranand, Chairman, PTT; and Areepong Bhoocha-oom, Chairman, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Outside the box: Surging demand highlights the need for new sources of power
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At the centre of Thailand’s economic growth, the energy sector is using progressively diverse means to meet the continually increasing demand for energy sources. The country’s growing industrial capacity, ongoing urbanisation and organic population growth are all contributing to rising domestic energy intensity – a trend that policymakers have addressed in the recently unveiled power development plan, which utilises a more varied primary energy mix and greater efficiency to bolster…

Interview

Holistic approach: Anantaporn Kanjanarat, Minister of Energy, on ensuring power security and sustainability
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Interview: Anantaporn Kanjanarat How are the promotion of efficiency and diversification advancing long-term energy security? ANANTAPORN KANJANARAT: Today, Thailand is at the forefront of regional economies when it comes to the use of renewable energy sources. In a global context, renewable energy refers to electricity generation through solar, wind and other sources, but in Thailand we take a more holistic approach by diversifying inputs for the production of electricity, heat and fuel. This is…

Analysis

Tipping point: New bidding round awaited as exploration efforts wane
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For decades, the ongoing development of Thailand’s major oil and gas fields provided the country with a steadily increasing flow of energy. Strong demand, favourable geology and an attractive concession contracting system combined to create an environment that attracted considerable interest from major international oil companies, which in turn poured hundreds of millions of dollars into exploration and development projects to keep the oil flowing. Cycling Down As large existing fields…

Interview

Planning for the future: Piyasvasti Amranand, Chairman, PTT, on investing for the future, and examining new energy sources
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Interview: Piyasvasti Amranand What impact have recently depressed oil prices had on Thailand as a net energy importer, and what is your outlook on price stabilisation? PIYASVASTI AMRANAND: Thailand is indeed the largest net importer of energy in ASEAN, with 55% of our commercial energy consumption being imported. Oil price volatility has certainly had an impact. For example, in 2014 the value of net energy imports stood at around BT1trn ($28.2bn) and the value of gross energy imports stood at…

Analysis

Electricity without borders: Regional partnerships make up for limited domestic capacity
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The rise of Thailand’s industrial power base, along with ongoing urbanisation of the country’s population, has the government and power producers striving to stay a step ahead of consumers’ increasing appetite for electricity. Since 2002 electricity consumption has increased 55%, from 100,091 GWh to 182,847 GWh in 2016, according to data compiled by the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO). To meet this growing demand, which is expected to reach a base level of 393,335 GWh by 2036,…

Interview

Supply and demand: Areepong Bhoocha-oom, Chairman, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), on energy security and integrating the regional grid
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Interview: Areepong Bhoocha-oom What changes must be made to Thailand’s power generation infrastructure to accommodate anticipated rises in demand? AREEPONG BHOOCHA-OOM: Demand for power in Thailand has traditionally risen in line with GDP growth, with a 1% increase in national GDP correlating with 1% growth in electricity use. However, when you take case studies of more advanced economies this ratio is significantly different, as many have inculcated the practice of energy efficiency. Efficiency…