Net-zero drive causes reliability concerns

Thailand's ambitious pursuit of a net-zero future and significant expansion of renewable energy capacity is sparking concerns among energy officials regarding the country's capacity to maintain a reliable electricity supply. Jakree Sirimaneewattana, assistant governor for corporate strategy at the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat), cautioned that swift renewable energy growth without adequate infrastructure upgrades could jeopardize national power security.

According to Thailand's 2026 power development plan, electricity demand is expected to surge, propelled by an influx of investments in digital industries and technology-related businesses. The plan also promotes pilot direct power purchase agreements, enabling power producers to sell clean electricity directly to businesses.

However, the confluence of increased electricity demand and renewable power generation presents unprecedented technical challenges for grid operators. Thailand's power grid has traditionally operated on fossil fuel-based generation, which can be swiftly adjusted to align with fluctuations in demand. In contrast, the rising share of renewable energy hinges on weather conditions, rendering supply more erratic.

Solar and wind power are intermittent, with output fluctuating based on weather patterns, complicating efforts to preserve a stable power system.

Egat drew parallels to international incidents, citing Spain as a cautionary tale. Spain's swift transition to renewable energy, without sufficient system readiness, has been associated with heightened risks of supply instability and widespread outages. Analysts identified three critical challenges necessitating immediate collaboration among policymakers, regulators, utilities, and private-sector stakeholders.

First, data sharing will become crucial as decentralized renewable generation expands and more households install solar systems capable of exporting electricity to the grid. All market participants will need to provide real-time generation data to ensure accurate forecasting and maintain grid stability. Second, the rapid growth of the digital economy poses a challenge.

Third, managing two-way power flows will be essential. Unlike traditional power systems, rooftop solar generation permits electricity to flow in both directions between households and the grid. Officials emphasize that smart grid technologies and advanced battery energy storage systems will be vital for regulating voltage and sustaining system reliability.