Thailand plans to cut reliance on imported natural gas by boosting renewables
and adding nuclear, Energy Minister Akanat Promphan said. The government aims to
lift generation from solar, wind and hydropower to 60% over the next 25 years,
doubling its previous target. More than 60% of Thailand’s current power comes
from natural gas, much of it imported, exposing the system to external shocks
such as Middle East conflict. The shift requires rapid expansion of renewable
capacity as electricity demand is set to rise sharply, supported by billions of
dollars of data centre, cloud and advanced manufacturing investment. The revised
power plan will include nuclear for the first time and the government is
studying small modular reactors as a potential stable, low‑carbon complement to
intermittent renewables.
