Mr. Theparat Theppitak, Governor of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), revealed trends in Thailand’s electricity rates for the end of 2025 and beyond. He noted that future rates may fall below the current rate of 3.98 baht per unit (May–August 2025), driven by declining fuel prices and the strengthening of the Thai baht to 32.38 per U.S. dollar. EGAT's remaining fuel debt, which it absorbed on behalf of the public, stands at 71 billion baht. The goal is to reduce consumer electricity costs below 3.98 baht per unit while maintaining a stable power system.
Currently, EGAT remits 50% of its profits to the state, making it the top state enterprise contributor despite holding only 29% of the electricity production market. In 2022, EGAT helped prevent a dramatic electricity price hike to 7–8 baht per unit by absorbing 150 billion baht in costs. Increasing EGAT’s generation share could further benefit the public and enhance its role in energy stability. This will be addressed in the new 2025 Power Development Plan (PDP) by the Ministry of Energy, with EGAT prepared to expand generation capacity. EGAT’s plants operate without availability payments (AP) and can deliver electricity reliably under any circumstance.
“The national energy plan’s goal of reaching 50% renewable energy must be carefully managed,” Theparat warned, citing Spain’s recent nationwide blackout despite using 60% renewables. He emphasized Thailand must learn from this and implement robust safeguards.
Regarding the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), Mr. Theparat reported over 20 private data center projects demanding around 5,000 MW of power, but current transmission capacity is insufficient. EGAT, along with the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), has raised concerns with the Board of Investment (BOI) about potential risks and suggested decentralizing these projects across the country where the grid is more capable.
He also addressed the government’s policy on LNG imports from the U.S., stating that while EGAT supports the imports, prices must be based on competitive bidding to minimize electricity costs, in line with fair trade principles.