EGAT Promotes SMRs for Thailand's Net Zero Goal

Khaosod•Economy•12h ago

Reader Briefing

EGAT is pushing for the adoption of Small Modular Reactors (SMR) as a key option to support Thailand's Net Zero goal.

•Ekarat Samintrapanya of EGAT presented SMR as a stable, carbon-free energy alternative during a Matichon seminar.
•EGAT has structured SMR development into five phases, ranging from preliminary study to decommissioning.
•EGAT is collaborating with global partners, including the IAEA and institutions from South Korea, China, and the USA, to upskill personnel.
•Public acceptance is identified as the most critical factor for the success of SMR projects in Thailand.

Overview

•Ekarat Samintrapanya spoke at the New Energy for Thailand seminar organized by Matichon regarding the use of Small Modular Reactors (SMR).
•SMRs can operate continuously 24/7 and have a lifespan of 60-80 years, which is longer than the 25-year average of fossil fuel or renewable plants.
•SMRs feature a passive safety system using automatic water cooling from high-level storage that functions during power outages or malfunctions.
•EGAT has included SMR in the draft Power Development Plan (PDP) as part of the first phase of development.
•EGAT has established a special task force, hired consultants for site surveys, and signed MOUs with Chulalongkorn University, the Office of Atoms for Peace, and the IAEA.
•EGAT plans to build understanding through provincial energy officers and educate youth because the project requires a long-term timeframe of over 10 years.
•Ekarat Samintrapanya identified six success factors, including clear government policy, updated laws, high safety standards, IAEA transparency, personnel development, and public acceptance.

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Key Quotes

Ekarat Samintrapanya

"The energy transition to SMRs requires cooperation from all sectors, including the public sector, private sector, and the people. If we prepare today, SMRs will be the key to driving the country's stable and sustainable growth."

การเปลี่ยนผ่านพลังงานไปสู่ SMR ต้องอาศัยความร่วมมือจากทุกภาคส่วน ทั้งภาครัฐ เอกชน และประชาชน หากเราเตรียมความพร้อมตั้งแต่วันนี้ SMR จะเป็นกุญแจสำคัญในการขับเคลื่อนประเทศให้เติบโตอย่างมั่นคงและยั่งยืน

Key Entities

Person

Ekarat Samintrapanya(เอกรัฐ สมินทรปัญญา)

Assistant Governor of Power Plant Planning at EGAT.

Organization

Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand(การไฟฟ้าฝ่ายผลิตแห่งประเทศไทย)ℹ️

The agency driving SMR implementation under the Triple S strategy to reach Net Zero.

Matichon(มติชน)ℹ️

The editorial team that organized the New Energy for Thailand seminar.

Chulalongkorn University(จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย)ℹ️

An educational institution that signed an MOU with EGAT for SMR preparation.

Office of Atoms for Peace(สำนักงานปรมาณูเพื่อสันติ)ℹ️

A partner organization that signed an MOU with EGAT to upskill personnel.

IAEAℹ️

A global organization involved in personnel upskilling and the transparency audit of SMR projects.

Policy

Draft PDP(ร่างแผน PDP)

The draft power development plan where SMR has been included.