BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand will accelerate its energy transition following parliamentary approval of a 400-billion-baht borrowing decree, with plans for household solar rooftops and a restructuring of vehicle taxes expected to become clearer in September, Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said.
Ekniti said the Finance Ministry is moving ahead with measures under the emergency decree authorizing the ministry to borrow up to 400 billion baht to address the impact of the energy crisis and transform the country’s energy infrastructure. He said concrete plans for the solar rooftop program and vehicle tax structure should be seen within September.
The solar program will cover installations on residential rooftops, as well as facilities operated by state enterprises and government agencies, to generate electricity from renewable energy.
Authorities are also accelerating investment in transmission infrastructure to develop a smart grid capable of handling additional electricity generated by rooftop solar systems. The system would allow households and other users to sell surplus electricity back to the grid. Ekniti stressed that subsidies for household solar installations should not be viewed as a series of small projects.
He said widespread installation across households could create a significant combined electricity-generating capacity, requiring corresponding investment in the national transmission network.
The government also plans to accelerate the transition of public transport from oil-powered vehicles to electric vehicles. The Transport Ministry has already prepared an implementation plan and is expected to move ahead with the transition. Vehicle taxation will also be restructured across the system to reflect the country’s shift toward cleaner energy.
The Finance Ministry is also working with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation to upgrade education and skills to support the country’s changing energy infrastructure.
Ekniti said the 400-billion-baht borrowing decree represents a broader effort to upgrade Thailand’s energy infrastructure and accelerate the country’s energy transition rather than finance a collection of small-scale projects.
Separately, a Data Center Policy Committee meeting is scheduled for next week to establish a framework for data-center operations and investment promotion in Thailand. The committee will consider both existing and new data-center projects, with the government seeking to ensure fair treatment while maintaining a balance in the country’s use of electricity and water resources.
The government is therefore preparing for two major infrastructure shifts at the same time: expanding renewable energy and modernizing the power grid while establishing a sustainable framework for the rapidly growing data-center industry. This keeps the story straightforward and news-focused while making the 400-billion-baht energy transition, solar rooftops and vehicle taxes the main thread. (TNA)
