BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand’s Energy Ministry is preparing to submit the draft Power Development Plan 2026 (PDP 2026) to Energy Minister Akanat Promphan this week, with the proposed scenarios targeting more than 60% renewable electricity generation. An Energy Ministry source said the committee overseeing the plan reviewed proposed fuel mixes and generation scenarios on Aug. 17. The draft is expected to go through a public hearing by mid-September, with the government aiming to officially adopt PDP 2026 before the end of this year.
The PDP 2026, covering 2026–2050, will present four scenarios for public consultation. All four options are expected to allocate more than 60% of electricity generation to renewable energy. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are also being considered, with proposed capacity ranging from approximately 2,400 to 4,000 megawatts. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is expected to lead initial studies and development before private-sector investment is opened.
The plan will also consider new technologies, particularly battery energy storage systems (BESS), to support the increasing share of renewable power and improve grid flexibility. The push toward cleaner electricity is aimed at supporting Thailand’s Net Zero 2050 target and meeting growing demand from industrial investors seeking access to green power. Data centers alone are projected to require around 6,800–8,800 megawatts of electricity. Meanwhile, the share of natural gas-fired power generation is expected to decline under the proposed plan.
