BANGKOK, Thailand – The government is preparing major changes to its energy system to enable more households, farmers, and businesses to produce and trade clean energy while reducing reliance on imported fuels. Energy Minister Akanat Promphan detailed the government’s plans at GCNT EXPO 2026 in Bangkok today (Sep 4), calling for an energy transition that more widely distributes economic opportunities.
The Energy Ministry plans to increase domestic biofuel production using sugarcane, cassava, and oil palm, reducing crude oil imports while creating additional income for farmers supplying materials for ethanol and biodiesel. Thailand’s new power development plan will also target a clean-energy share of more than 60% of the electricity mix.
Another plan would install 5-kilowatt solar systems on one million residential rooftops nationwide. The government would arrange financing, manage the program, and purchase all electricity generated by participating systems. Once investment costs are recovered, households will assume full ownership of the equipment, allowing them to become small-scale electricity producers.
The ministry is also preparing to revise Direct Power Purchase Agreement rules so businesses of all sizes can buy and sell clean electricity more freely. Greater access to direct PPAs would help companies meet international environmental requirements while supporting the development of virtual power plants that coordinate distributed energy resources. (NNT)
