Electricity in Thailand in 2024
As of 2024, the landscape of electricity consumption in Thailand is heavily dominated by fossil energy sources, contributing to more than 70% of the electricity mix. The majority comes from gas, accounting for almost 58%, followed by coal at about 14%. Interestingly, net imports make up another 16%, indicating a dependence on electricity from outside the country's borders. In contrast, low-carbon or clean energy sources contribute just over 12% to the electricity mix in Thailand, which reflects a significant opportunity for growth in these areas. Biofuels account for around 6%, while hydropower, solar, and wind provide 2.7%, 2.6%, and 1.6% respectively, highlighting a critical need to enhance domestic production of low-carbon alternatives. The current reliance on fossil fuels carries risks of pollution and climate change, urging a transition towards more sustainable energy solutions.
Is Electricity Growing in Thailand?
Examining the trends in electricity consumption, there has been growth in the overall electricity usage in Thailand. In 2024, the total electricity consumption reached about 3296 kWh per person, which marks an increase from the 3125 kWh per person recorded in the previous year, 2023. This increase of 171 kWh per person reflects a positive trend towards greater energy usage, coinciding with economic growth and development. However, the increase in low-carbon electricity generation has not kept pace, as it decreased slightly from 420 kWh per person in 2018 to 413 kWh per person in 2024. This stagnation in low-carbon electricity growth is concerning, as it underscores the urgent need for Thailand to bolster its clean energy infrastructure to support its economic aspirations while mitigating environmental impacts.
Suggestions
To bolster its low-carbon electricity generation, Thailand can draw lessons from various successful regions. Notably, regions like France and Slovakia lead with their significant utilization of nuclear energy, contributing to over 60% of their electricity mix, while Denmark and South Dakota have excelled in harnessing wind power, contributing over 55%. Thailand could benefit from similar strategies, potentially through the adoption of nuclear energy, as it offers a stable and substantial source of clean electricity. Additionally, maximizing solar energy output, as seen in countries like Lebanon, with solar contributing over 30%, could significantly elevate Thailand's clean energy proportion. These approaches would not only diversify Thailand's energy portfolio but also elevate sustainability and energy security in the face of growing local and global demand.
History
Thailand's history with low-carbon electricity shows variable progress over the decades. In the early 1980s and 1990s, significant strides were made in hydropower, with notable increases in 1981, 1986, 1989, and 1995. However, the late 1990s and early 2000s faced setbacks, marked by declines in hydropower generation in years like 1998, 1999, and 2010. Nonetheless, growth in biofuels emerged prominently in the 2010s, peaking dramatically in 2016, while wind energy showed potential with a substantial increase in 2019. Although the intermittent gains have diversified Thailand's low-carbon portfolio to some extent, there is much room for enhancement, particularly through the introduction of ambitious solar or nuclear projects that could reshape its energy future. Such initiatives are essential to overcome historical inconsistencies and towards establishing a more robust, clean energy foundation.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.