Energy Ministry filters fake data center electricity demand

Matichon•Economy•36m ago

Reader Briefing

The Ministry of Energy is implementing strict screening for data center electricity demand to prevent over-investment in infrastructure.

•Phongphon Yodmuangcharoen stated on September 16 at Gastech 2026 that data center electricity requests reached 35 gigawatts.
•The government has set the data center electricity usage figure at 8.8 gigawatts in the draft PDP 2026 plan.
•EGAT requires approximately 1 billion USD (35 billion baht) to upgrade the power grid, particularly in the EEC area.

•Data center electricity requests have reached 35 gigawatts, which is close to the national peak demand of 40 gigawatts.
•Phongphon Yodmuangcharoen identified these requests as phantom demand because investors often request high quotas and backup power sources.
•The government incorporated a figure of 8.8 gigawatts (8,800 megawatts) for data centers into the draft PDP 2026 plan.
•The draft PDP 2026 plan shifts the electricity security measurement from Reserve margin to Loss of Load Expectation (LOLE).
•The Ministry of Energy intends to upgrade the electrical network to a Two-way dynamic grid to support clean energy from the Solar Rooftop 1 million households policy.
•The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) requires a budget of approximately 1 billion USD or 35 billion baht for grid improvements, especially in the EEC.
•The Ministry of Energy will integrate data between PEA, MEA, EGAT, and ERC to create a real-time Data backbone.
•The government will enforce the Grid Code to ensure data centers manage their own systems before relying on the public grid.

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Phongphon Yodmuangcharoen

"It is the duty of the Ministry of Energy to have strict screening measures to separate unrealistic demand."

เป็นหน้าที่ของกระทรวงพลังงาน ที่จะต้องมีมาตรการคัดกรองอย่างเข้มงวดเพื่อแยกความต้องการที่ไม่เป็นความจริงออกไป

Phongphon Yodmuangcharoen(พงศ์พล ยอดเมืองเจริญ)

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy.

Ministry of Energy(กระทรวงพลังงาน)ℹ️

The ministry responsible for screening electricity demand and upgrading the power grid.

Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT)(การไฟฟ้าฝ่ายผลิตแห่งประเทศไทย (กฟผ.))

The entity responsible for improving the power grid with a budget of approximately 1 billion USD.

PEA(กฟภ.)

One of the electrical agencies involved in integrating data for the Data backbone.

MEA(กฟน.)

One of the electrical agencies involved in integrating data for the Data backbone.

ERC(กกพ.)

One of the electrical agencies involved in integrating data for the Data backbone.

Power Development Plan 2026 (PDP 2026)(แผนพัฒนากำลังการผลิตไฟฟ้าของประเทศ (PDP 2026))

The national plan that sets the data center electricity usage figure at 8.8 gigawatts.

Solar Rooftop 1 Million Households Policy(นโยบาย Solar Rooftop 1 ล้านครัวเรือน)

A policy aimed at increasing power production by over 5,000 megawatts.

Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)(ระเบียงเศรษฐกิจพิเศษภาคตะวันออก (EEC))

The area where power grid improvements are specifically needed.