Electricity in Thailand in 2024/2025
Over the past year, from July 2024 to June 2025, Thailand's electricity consumption has been predominantly driven by fossil fuels, accounting for over 70% of the total electricity generated. Within this category, natural gas holds the lion's share at approximately 56%, while coal contributes around 15%. Furthermore, some electricity is imported, aligning with the country's heavy reliance on fossil fuels. On the other hand, low-carbon or clean energy sources, such as biofuels, solar, hydropower, and wind, collectively account for about 13% of electricity production. Among these green sources, biofuels lead the way, contributing around 6%, with solar, hydropower, and wind trailing at approximately 3%, 3%, and 2% respectively. The current state emphasizes the ongoing reliance on fossil fuels, despite the vital necessity to shift towards greener energy solutions to mitigate environmental and climate impacts.
Is Electricity Growing in Thailand?
Examining electricity consumption trends, Thailand's latest numbers reveal a slight decline from previous peaks. The most recent data indicates electricity consumption at 3,129 kWh per person, slightly down from a record 3,296 kWh per person experienced in 2024. This reduction, although moderate, raises distinctions concerning sustainable development and meeting future electricity demands. Conversely, despite overall consumption decline, there is a positive upturn in low-carbon electricity generation, climbing from a previous high in 2018 at 420 kWh per person to a new record of 421 kWh per person. This incremental increase sheds light on the potential to enhance clean energy but highlights the dire need for more aggressive strategies to increase low-carbon electricity substantially.
Suggestions
To strengthen Thailand's low-carbon electricity generation, embracing lessons from successful regions can be immensely beneficial. Countries like Lebanon and Nevada demonstrate how solar energy contributes significantly, at around one-third of their total electricity generation. Such insight can spur Thailand to harness its ample sunshine for substantial solar-based advancements. Additionally, adopting nuclear energy—like France, Slovakia, and Ukraine, where over half of their electricity comes from nuclear power—can be pivotal. The expansion of nuclear plants would provide a reliable, long-term, low-carbon electricity supply. Hence, fostering solar and nuclear developments could play a transformative role, aligning Thailand with global leaders in clean energy transition and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
History
Taking a historical glance back, Thailand's journey in low-carbon electricity generation has seen a blend of developments and setbacks, especially concerning hydropower. Starting with growth during the 1980s and 1990s, the country witnessed gradual increases in hydroelectric output. However, there have also been declines, as seen in 1998 and 1999, and again a decade later in both 2010 and 2015. Interestingly, 2016 marked a significant leap forward as biofuels began contributing more noticeably to low-carbon electricity, though it was followed by a decline in both biofuels and wind electricity generation efforts in subsequent years. In 2022, hydropower experienced modest recovery. This historical perspective underlines a need for sustainable advancements in low-carbon sectors, particularly in solar and nuclear, to ensure continuous growth in green electricity.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.