Thailand Solar Power Moving Forward Despite Unclear Renewable Energy Policy

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources East Asia (Kofu-shi, Japan)--With approximately 28 gigawatts of installed electricity, Thailand is one of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) largest producers, with about 70% of the current capacity based on natural gas. Most of the country's current electrical development is thermal-based as well, however renewable energy projects are beginning to pick up speed. Thailand's renewable energy policy has placed a large emphasis on solar power, even stating that the entire country could be powered solely by solar energy.

Despite the renewable energy policy's claims, it set forth a modest plan to boost Thailand's solar power capacity by more than 100% to 550 megawatts (MW) by 2022. As of now, Industrial Info is tracking nearly 13 gigawatts of electrical capacity development in Thailand, though renewable energy projects account for only 5% of that. Wind power currently makes up for more capacity than solar power does.

All of Thailand's tracked solar power projects are currently under construction, accounting for approximately 260 MW. Two projects, one headed by Ithalthai Engineering Company Limited (Bangkok) and the other headed by Bangchak Petroleum Public Company Limited (Bangkok), are due for completion by the end of the year. Natural Energy Development Company Limited (Bangkok), which is currently constructing a 55 MW solar power station in Lop Buri, is also planning another solar project for a different area of Lop Buri.

Eco Kinetics (Strathgordon, Queensland) said that phase two of its Chon Buri solar power station has been delayed due to delays in connecting the station to the grid. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Bangkok), the plant's owner, claims that it has delayed grid connections for phase one due to the flooding throughout the country.

Though renewable energy development is taking place, the country's renewable energy policy framework has been criticized for unclear standards and slow grid integrations. There has also been little to no development of a Thai polysilicon industry, like the one under development in Malaysia, to support the country's solar power industry.

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