Eight associations of renewable energy power plants have opposed the full Power Development Plan (PDP) 2018, which the National Energy Policy Committee (NEPC) approved on January 24, 2562. They found that the new power generation capacity for the renewable energy group decreased by over 4,183 MW compared to PDP 2015, with more than 10,000 MW reallocated to solar power plants, raising questions about the missing power reserve margin.
Private power plant operators criticized that PDP 2018 significantly differs from PDP 2015, particularly with the increase of combined cycle power plants by 13,156 MW and solar power plants by 10,000 MW. This was done without incorporating the recommendations of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), which indicated that PDP 2018 would result in Thailand having excess power generation capacity and becoming a long-term burden on electricity consumers.
Sources from private power plant operators revealed that the renewable energy group was most affected, with the group's new power generation capacity reduced to 15,451 MW throughout the plan, from the original 19,634 MW in PDP 2015. There was a reduction of 3,376 MW for biomass power plants and 1,485 MW for wind power plants, but an increase of up to 10,000 MW for solar power plants and floating solar power plants, as well as an additional 2,725 MW for hydropower plants of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT).
The group of 8 associations of renewable energy power plant operators discussed this PDP and noted 7 irregularities, such as the reduction in electricity purchases from renewable energy, the sole focus on price, the lack of emphasis on reducing environmental impacts, and concerns about the potential future increase in LNG natural gas fuel costs.
Additionally, they also noted that PDP 2018 does not specify the power reserve margin for each year, even though historical reserve margins were over 30%, and the construction of many new power plants would increase the reserve margin beyond demand. Furthermore, over 200,000 million baht has already been invested in renewable energy projects, and reduced electricity purchases from renewable energy could ultimately lead to the demise of operators.
