WHAUP urges Direct PPA rules and eyes Data Center water deals

MGR Online•Economy•1d ago

Reader Briefing

WHAUP is urging the Thai government to finalize Direct PPA criteria to attract Data Center investments and is negotiating new water sales deals.

•WHAUP is pushing for the implementation of Direct Power Purchase Agreements (Direct PPA) and Third Party Access (TPA) for Data Centers and other industries.
•WHAUP expects to close additional water sales deals of 17-29 million cubic meters per year with Data Center customers in the second half of the year.
•WHAUP has set an investment budget of 2,900 million baht for 2026 and a 5-year plan (2026-2030) totaling 29,000 million baht.
•The company aims to reduce natural water usage by 25 million cubic meters per year by 2030.

•Akkarin Prathuangsit states that the ability to access clean energy is the top priority for foreign investors to meet sustainability goals like CBAM and RE100.
•WHAUP is collaborating with various sectors to push for Direct PPA policies and Third Party Access (TPA) to prevent losing opportunities to neighbors like Vietnam.
•The National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) has unlocked Direct PPA measures via TPA for Data Centers and other industrial sectors.
•WHAUP's current water sales to Data Centers, including pending negotiations, could reach 60 million cubic meters per year, representing 50% of WHAUP's usual sales volume.
•WHAUP's investment budget for 2026 is 2,900 million baht, divided into power business (57%) and water utilities (43%).
•WHAUP plans to gradually start commercial operation (COD) of a 136 megawatt solar power plant between 2027 and 2030.
•WHAUP is exploring renewable energy investment opportunities in Vietnam and the Philippines.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Akkarin Prathuangsit

"Last year, the company signed water sales contracts with Data Center customers totaling 30 million cubic meters per year."

เมื่อปีที่แล้ว บริษัทได้เซ็นสัญญาขายน้ำให้ลูกค้า Data Centerรวม 30ล้านลูกบาศก์เมตร (ลบ.ม.)/ปี

WHA Utilities and Power Public Company Limited(บริษัท ดับบลิวเอชเอ ยูทิลิตี้ส์ แอนด์ พาวเวอร์ จำกัด (มหาชน))

A company providing water and power utilities that is expanding its infrastructure for Data Centers.

WHAUP

The abbreviated name for WHA Utilities and Power Public Company Limited.

National Energy Policy Council(กพช.)

The government body that unlocked Direct PPA measures through TPA.

Akkarin Prathuangsit(อัครินทร์ ประเทืองสิทธิ์)

The Chief Executive Officer of WHA Utilities and Power Public Company Limited.

Prapon Chinudomsap(ประพนธ์ ชินอุดมทรัพย์)

The Chief Financial Officer of WHAUP.

Direct PPA

A direct power purchase agreement for renewable energy that WHAUP is urging the government to finalize.

Third Party Access

A policy allowing third parties to use the electrical grid system.

PDP8

Vietnam's power development plan under which WHAUP is seeking investment opportunities.

Thailand(ประเทศไทย)ℹ️

A strategic location for foreign investment in Data Centers and New S-Curve industries.

Vietnam(เวียดนาม)ℹ️

A neighboring country that opened Direct PPA in 2025 and a market where WHAUP is expanding solar power.

Philippines(ฟิลิปปินส์)ℹ️

A third-country market WHAUP is surveying due to government support for clean energy.