EEC Proposed as Pilot for Geothermal Energy Study

Thansettakij•Economy•6d ago

Reader Briefing

Wisit proposes using the Eastern Economic Corridor as a pilot area to study geothermal energy to provide stable clean power for data centers and AI.

•Wisit suggests the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) for geothermal potential studies due to existing geological data and infrastructure.
•The new Power Development Plan (PDP 2026) is designed to support data center growth and Net Zero goals.
•Geothermal energy is identified as 'Clean Firm Power' capable of providing 24-hour stability unlike solar or wind.
•A proposed phased approach for the EEC includes resource assessment, slimhole exploration, and flow testing.

•The PDP 2026 plan aims to increase the proportion of clean energy to support data centers and AI industries which require high-quality electricity.
•Geothermal energy is viewed as a stable renewable source that does not depend on weather conditions, unlike solar or wind energy.
•Wisit suggests the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) should be among the first areas studied for geothermal potential.
•The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) possesses existing underground data from petroleum and geological surveys, as well as energy infrastructure.
•Wisit proposes a phased study starting with an EEC Geothermal Resource Assessment followed by Slimhole Exploration and Flow Tests.
•A successful pilot project in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) could lead to a large-scale commercial project providing Firm Renewable Energy.
•Wisit states that PDP 2026 does not need to specify a geothermal megawatt target yet due to insufficient current data.
•The proposed approach allows Thailand to stop development without further investment if exploration shows insufficient resources or lack of economic value.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Wisit

"Geothermal is interesting because it is a renewable energy source that can produce electricity continuously."

Geothermal มีจุดที่น่าสนใจ เพราะเป็นพลังงานหมุนเวียนที่สามารถผลิตไฟฟ้าได้ต่อเนื่อง

Wisit

"Once, Thailand turned underground data into natural gas, and natural gas served as the backbone of the Thai economy for several decades."

ครั้งหนึ่งประเทศไทยเคยเปลี่ยนข้อมูลที่อยู่ใต้พื้นดินให้กลายเป็นก๊าซธรรมชาติ และก๊าซธรรมชาติก็ทำหน้าที่เป็น Backbone ของเศรษฐกิจไทยมาหลายทศวรรษ

Wisit(วิศิษฎ์)ℹ️

An expert who proposed the geothermal resource assessment and exploration framework for the EEC.

Eastern Economic Corridor(เขตพัฒนาพิเศษภาคตะวันออก)ℹ️

A proposed pilot area for geothermal studies due to its industrial base and existing geological data.

Abbreviation for the Eastern Economic Corridor.

Power Development Plan (PDP 2026)(แผนพัฒนากำลังผลิตไฟฟ้า (PDP 2026))

A new power plan designed to support data centers and Net Zero goals by increasing clean energy.