BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand’s Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has rejected concerns that its membership falling to just four commissioners could hinder the country’s energy development, saying the shortage has not affected its regulatory duties or preparation of the PDP 2026 power development plan.
Poonpat Leesombatpiboon, secretary-general of the Office of the Energy Regulatory Commission and spokesman for the ERC, said the recruitment of new commissioners had been delayed for about two years. However, Energy Minister Akanat Promphan has accelerated the selection process since taking office.
He said the delay had not prevented the ERC from carrying out its responsibilities, although there had been some confusion over the commission’s role. Under the law, the ERC has two main areas of responsibility: implementing government policy and regulating the energy industry.
Poonpat said the ERC’s role in preparing the PDP 2026 is limited to submitting opinions and it does not participate directly in the planning meetings. Therefore, having only four commissioners has no impact on the preparation of the new power development plan.
Direct PPA moves ahead
Regarding investment in the Smart Grid and the Direct Power Purchase Agreement (Direct PPA) market, Poonphat said the ERC had already studied appropriate electricity tariff structures and was waiting for policy direction.
On July 15, 2026, the National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) approved opening the Direct PPA market beyond the previous 2,000-megawatt limit, with no cap on capacity and no restriction limiting buyers to data-center operators. The Energy Policy Administration Committee subsequently approved the principle on August 3. The ERC then began the legally required public consultation on the revised electricity purchasing framework. Poonpat stressed that the Direct PPA process has therefore not been delayed.
Data-center investment not dependent on ERC
He also said investment by data-center operators continues to progress, with the Cabinet recently approving the establishment of a committee to oversee data-center business policy.
Because data centers can have significant economic and infrastructure impacts, their investments require careful consideration, he said, adding that the approval process is separate from the ERC’s four-member composition.
“The ERC is responsible for regulating the energy industry and is not holding the country back,” Poonphat said, adding that the commission has continued to facilitate economic activity despite having only four members. From October 1, 2024, to the present, the ERC has issued 6,015 energy-related licenses. These include 343 licenses under Section 47, 39 electricity distribution licenses, 136 electricity sales licenses, 256 building construction licenses (Aor.1), 273 factory licenses (Ror.Ngor.4) and 4,968 controlled-energy licenses (P.K.2).
