An assessment of energy security in Thailand’s power generation

Abstract

Presently, electricity power generation in Thailand mainly relies on natural gas approximately 70% of the total primary energy demand. Furthermore, around 37% of the total natural gas consumption is imported from neighboring countries. The Thai government developed a new power development plan in 2010 (PDP) to strengthen its energy security due to excessive reliance on natural gas for electricity generation and mitigate CO2 emissions by planning to install new nuclear power plants by 2030. Particularly after the nuclear power disaster in Fukushima, Japan in 2011, public opinion remains in opposition with nuclear technology, raising issues concerning the feasibility of this potential energy source.It is found that an intensive coal power plants scenario is the highest emission of CO2 per kWh and its electricity unit cost is higher than PDP about 7.35%. If nuclear and new coal power plants cannot be implemented according to PDP plan, a renewable energy scenario is possible. This option not only strengthens the energy security, but it significantly mitigates the intensity of CO2 emission per kWh higher than PDP about 7.14%. However, this only can be achieved by increasing the electricity unit cost by 14% compared to the price estimated by the 2010 PDP.