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Eknat explains energy loan decree and solar power expansion

Eknat explains energy loan decree and solar power expansion

Thansettakij•Politics•1h ago

Reader Briefing

Energy Minister Eknat Promphan clarified the necessity of an emergency loan decree to reform energy structures and promote solar energy.

  • •Energy Minister Eknat Promphan explained the Emergency Decree for loaning funds to resolve energy crises and transition the country's energy on August 26, 2026.
  • •The government plans to use loans to install solar panels for citizens, expanding purchase quotas from 100 MW to between 1,000 and 5,000 MW.
  • •New regulations require Data Centers to be responsible for the cost of additional LNG imports to avoid impacting general electricity rates.

Overview

  • •Eknat Promphan stated that conflicts in the Middle East have directly impacted the cost of liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, which Thailand relies on for approximately 30% of electricity production.
  • •The government reduced electricity costs for the first 200 units to 3 baht per unit and removed the 'wheeling charge' that had been averaged in bills for 30-40 years.
  • •Eknat Promphan announced that the government has removed the 2,000 MW ceiling for clean energy direct trading, allowing all industries to access the liberal purchase market.
  • •A new 25-year long-term Power Development Plan (PDP) is expected to be announced within one month to support the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
  • •The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) and Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) have been assigned to provide One-Stop Service for solar energy installation permits.
  • •Eknat Promphan clarified that the requested loan is intended for infrastructure investment rather than handouts or projects involving kickbacks.
  • •The government intends to expand the rooftop electricity purchase framework from 100 MW to 500 MW, with the potential to increase to 1,000 to 5,000 MW based on system capacity.
  • •Part of the loan will be used for biofuel oil reserve projects to create income for Thai farmers.

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Source: Thansettakij (Original)

Key Quotes

Eknat Promphan
"investing in creating infrastructure for the people"
ลงทุนสร้างโครงสร้างพื้นฐานให้ประชาชน

Key Entities

Person

Eknat Promphan(เอกนัฏ พร้อมพันธุ์)
The Minister of Energy who explained the emergency loan decree for energy transition.

Organization

Ministry of Energy(กระทรวงพลังงาน)ℹ️
The ministry overseeing the energy transition and the emergency loan explanation.
Ministry of Finance(กระทรวงการคลัง)ℹ️
The ministry granted authority to borrow money under the emergency decree.
National Energy Policy Council(คณะกรรมการนโยบายพลังงานแห่งชาติ)
The council that determined the criteria for classifying Data Center electricity users.
European Union(สหภาพยุโรป)ℹ️
The entity implementing the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
Provincial Electricity Authority(การไฟฟ้าส่วนภูมิภาค)ℹ️
The agency assigned to provide One-Stop Service for solar energy installations.
Metropolitan Electricity Authority(การไฟฟ้านครหลวง)ℹ️
The agency assigned to provide One-Stop Service for solar energy installations.

Law

Emergency Decree authorizing the Ministry of Finance to borrow money to resolve the impact of the energy crisis and create the country's energy transition 2026(พระราชกำหนดให้อำนาจกระทรวงการคลังกู้เงินเพื่อแก้ไขปัญหาผลกระทบจากสถานการณ์วิกฤตด้านพลังงานและสร้างการเปลี่ยนผ่านด้านพลังงานของประเทศ พ.ศ.2569)
The legislation enabling the government to borrow funds for energy structure reform.

Place

Middle East(ตะวันออกกลาง)ℹ️
The region where conflict has impacted the cost of LNG imports for Thailand.
Myanmar(เมียนมา)ℹ️
A neighboring country from which Thailand imports natural gas.

Policy

Power Development Plan(แผนพัฒนากำลังการผลิตไฟฟ้าของประเทศไทย)
The 25-year long-term framework for transitioning to renewable and clean energy.
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism(มาตรการปรับคาร์บอนก่อนข้ามพรมแดน)ℹ️
The European Union's carbon measure that the new PDP aims to support.