On December 26, Nattapong Ruangpanyawut, MP and leader of the Prachachon Party, criticized Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s handling of the renewable energy procurement policy. Following the December 25 decision by the National Energy Policy Committee (NEPC) to delay purchasing renewable electricity, Nattapong emphasized the importance of the Prime Minister prioritizing her role as NEPC Chair. He argued that this issue, tied to rising electricity costs, significantly impacts the public and deserves clarity.
Nattapong expressed concern that the delay might be a strategy to buy time rather than a genuine attempt to reconsider the project. He called on the Prime Minister to address parliament directly and transparently explain if the delay is aimed at ultimately canceling the project due to legal concerns. Such openness, he said, would dispel public doubts.
The NEPC decision did not specify a clear timeline for the delay, leaving ambiguity about its future. Key milestones for selecting project developers are set for December 30, 2023, and February 14, 2024. Any postponement of contracts requires a decision from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), an independent body.
Nattapong also raised suspicions about potential conflicts of interest, referencing past instances involving energy sector executives and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He questioned whether unresolved benefits within the energy sector influenced the Prime Minister’s avoidance of parliamentary questioning. He urged the Prime Minister to clarify her stance, particularly if legal obstacles exist, and to outline how the NEPC and ERC will collaborate on the issue.