Thailand’s PDP 2026 Plan: Minister Eknat Proposes Fifth Option for Clean Energy
Thailand's Minister of Industry, Eknat Prompan, is reviewing a new 'fifth option' for the 2026 Power Development Plan (PDP), aiming to increase clean energy usage to over 70%.
According to a report by Prachachat Business, Thailand’s Minister of Industry, Eknat Prompan, is currently reviewing the 2026 Power Development Plan (PDP). Following a public consultation process that initially presented four options, a fifth alternative is now being considered. This new proposal aims to significantly accelerate the transition to renewable energy, targeting an increase in clean energy production from the current level of approximately 20% to 50% within the first decade, with a long-term goal of reaching between 65% and 90%.
A key component of this deliberation involves evaluating the economic feasibility of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology. The ministry is currently weighing the costs associated with implementing CCS against the broader benefits of expanding clean energy infrastructure.
For residents and travelers, this development is significant as it signals a potential shift in national energy policy that could influence future electricity costs and the country's environmental footprint. While the proposal aims for a greener energy grid, the final structure of the PDP 2026 remains subject to further review and official approval. Stakeholders are waiting for confirmation on how the government will balance the high costs of CCS technology with the ambitious clean energy targets set forth in this new fifth option.