Thailand PDP 2026 Targets 9,000 MW Nuclear SMR Power

Thansettakij•Economy•20d ago

Reader Briefing

The draft PDP 2026 incorporates nuclear energy via Small Modular Reactors to provide 9,000 MW of low-carbon baseload power by 2050.

•The Energy Policy and Planning Office is conducting public hearings on the draft Power Development Plan 2026 (PDP 2026) for the years 2026-2050.
•Thailand plans to implement Small Modular Reactor (SMR), Micro Reactor, and new Modular Reactor technologies as low-carbon baseload power.
•Total nuclear power capacity is projected to reach 9,000 MW by 2050, distributed across 5 regions of the country.
•The plan aims to support electricity demand from data centers and AI while pursuing carbon neutrality by 2050.

•The Energy Policy and Planning Office is currently opening public hearings for the draft Power Development Plan 2026 (PDP 2026) covering 2026-2050.
•Nuclear power development is split into two main phases: 300 MW during 2026-2037 and an additional 8,700 MW during 2038-2050.
•Total nuclear capacity will reach 9,000 MW by 2050, accounting for approximately 4-5% of the total system capacity.
•Initial construction costs (CAPEX) are projected at 202,164 baht per kilowatt in 2037, decreasing to 178,500 baht per kilowatt in 2050.
•Nuclear energy is intended to provide stable 24-hour power for data centers and AI businesses and reduce reliance on volatile renewable energy.
•SMR technology requires more than 10 years for preparation and construction according to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safety standards.
•The draft PDP 2026 presents four scenarios, with the selected case being Net Zero by RE & CCS, combining 73% renewable energy, carbon capture, and domestic natural gas.
•The inclusion of nuclear power reflects a shift toward alternative baseload energy sources beyond natural gas and coal.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Energy Policy and Planning Office(สำนักงานนโยบายและแผนพลังงาน)

The agency currently conducting public hearings on the draft PDP 2026.

Ministry of Energy(กระทรวงพลังงาน)ℹ️

The ministry providing the news report regarding the nuclear power development plan.

International Atomic Energy Agency(ทบวงการพลังงานปรมาณูระหว่างประเทศ)ℹ️

The organization providing the safety standards that require SMR preparation and construction to take over 10 years.

Power Development Plan 2026(แผนพัฒนากำลังผลิตไฟฟ้าของประเทศไทย พ.ศ. 2569-2593)

The draft national power plan for 2026-2050 that incorporates nuclear energy as a low-carbon baseload.

Thailand(ประเทศไทย)ℹ️

The country implementing the PDP 2026 and aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.