Electricity in Thailand in 2024
In 2024, Thailand's electricity consumption landscape remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with more than 70% of its electricity being generated from fossil sources. Of this, natural gas alone accounts for almost 60%, while coal contributes around 14%. The remaining electricity generation is primarily through net imports. On the bright side, low-carbon energy sources, such as biofuels, hydropower, solar, and wind, collectively make up a little over 12% of the total electricity generation. Among these, biofuels lead the pack, generating close to half of the low-carbon electricity, with hydropower and solar each contributing about 3%, and wind providing around 2%. As climate change impacts become more pronounced and fossil fuels continue to pollute the air, the urgency for shifting towards cleaner, low-carbon energy sources becomes even more critical.
Is Electricity Growing in Thailand?
Electricity consumption in Thailand is currently on an upward trend. In 2024, consumption increased to 3296 kWh per person, up from the previous record of 3125 kWh per person in 2023. This increase signals a positive growth trajectory towards meeting future demands. However, a concerning aspect is the slight decline in low-carbon electricity generation per person, which dipped to 413 kWh, compared to the record high of 420 kWh per person observed in 2018. While overall electricity use is rising, the stagnation in low-carbon energy generation highlights the need for Thailand to intensify its clean energy efforts to ensure a sustainable energy future that reliably supports growing demands and mitigates environmental impacts.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Thailand could look at successful regions for inspiration. Notably, nuclear energy demonstrates exceptional potential, as seen in France and Slovakia, where nuclear accounts for over 60% of electricity generation. This underscores the importance of expanding nuclear capacity for significant gains in sustainable energy. In tandem with nuclear power, solar energy represents a promising frontier for Thailand, akin to Lebanon where solar energy contributes over 30%. Encouraging policies and investments in these sectors could help Thailand emulate these successes. Similarly, the robust reliance on wind power in countries like Denmark and Iowa, which generate over half of their electricity from wind, highlights the potential of wind energy as a valuable contributor to Thailand's clean energy growth.
History
In recent decades, low-carbon electricity generation in Thailand has experienced varied developments. Starting from the early 1980s through the mid-2010s, hydropower saw periodic growth spurts interspersed with declines, suggesting fluctuations that need stabilization for more reliable output. The year 2013 marked a significant boost in biofuels, contributing to an increase in the low-carbon energy share. A noteworthy point in recent history was the growth of wind energy in 2019. Although the fluctuations suggest a dynamic evolution, a consistent focus on expanding stable nuclear and solar power is crucial for ensuring steady growth in Thailand's low-carbon electricity generation moving forward.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.