Yesterday (25 April 2024) Energy Science Course for New Generation Executives, Class 2 (WPM.2) in collaboration with the Sustainable Waste Management Association. Organize a special seminar on the topic What must be done to set a fair electricity bill at Synergy Hall, 6th floor, Energy Complex, Building C, with Mr. Weerapat? Kiatfuengfuang, Director of the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO), gave a special lecture on “National Electricity Business Policy”
In addition, speakers participating in the discussion included Mr. Wutthikorn Stithit, Chief Operating Officer, Upstream Petroleum and Natural Gas Business Group, PTT Public Company Limited, Dr. Chanaphum, President of the Thai Cement Industry Association, Mr. Khomkrit Tantrawanit, Secretary-General. Energy Regulatory Commission Office (ERC), Mr. Warit Rattanachun, Assistant Governor, Research, Innovation and Business Development Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and Mr. Natee Sitthiprasat Chairman of the Renewable Energy Industry Group Federation of Thai Industries
Mr. Weerapat Kiatfuengfu, Director of the Energy Policy and Planning Office (ENERGY POLICY AND PLANNING OFFICE) Said that the new Thailand Power Development Plan or PDP 2024 (2024-2037) is currently being presented at the Forecasting Subcommittee meeting. and prepare the country’s electricity generating capacity development plan for the second time on May 7th, after which it will be open for listening to comments.
As for the main guidelines in preparing the PDP 2024 plan, it will focus on 3 parts: 1. Emphasis on the stability of the country’s electrical system, covering both the electricity generation system, the electricity transmission system, and area security, taking into account new technologies that will be introduced. This makes the electrical system flexible enough to support the energy transition. 2. Electricity costs are at an appropriate level. both stable Reflects the true cost At the same time, people must not bear the burden unfairly. and prepare the electrical system for competition and management To bring decentralized electricity production (Distributed Energy Resource: DER) to benefit.
3. Limit the amount of carbon dioxide released. By supporting the production of electricity from renewable energy. and increase efficiency in the electrical system Both production and use and fully utilize smart grid technology
The challenge in reducing carbon dioxide emissions by turning to clean and renewable energy is that costs are still high. And we cannot always rely on the need to use fossil fuels. to make the system stable Due to the electricity usage figures that we have been tracking, it has been found that the highest demand for electricity in the past 2 years comes at night. For example, between 22-24 April 2024, the past occurred after 9 p.m., which the production of electricity from solar cells could not support.
During the discussion topic “Fair electricity prices What must be done?” Mr. Khomkrit Tantrawanit, Secretary-General of the Energy Regulatory Commission, stated that fairness consists of 3 parts that must be taken into account:
1. Service rates and risks
2.Stability and quality
and 3.Electricity and natural gas policy Which electricity cost will be cheap or expensive depends on the policy and plan. Because power plants and related infrastructure require advance planning. Unable to adjust within 1-2 days, it must be accepted that fuel costs are the main cost of electricity production, especially imported LNG that is important to the country’s electricity production. It is not only the reasonable price that must be taken into account, there is quality also taken into consideration.
There must also be investment in various infrastructures to support it, such as a natural gas storage and transformation station (LNG Terminal). The Energy Regulatory Commission, as a supervisor, looks at the appropriate rate of return at every point.
However, the components of the power plant do not include only the power plants that are ready to operate. But there are also power plants to support emergencies, such as the Bang Pakong, Ratchaburi, and Krabi power plants. It can be seen that the country’s electricity production system has many factors involved. And our system is electricity at the same price throughout the country which requires equalizing costs among the 3 electricity utilities.
For the electrical system of each country, different policies are used to take care of different groups of people. For example, Vietnam has a high proportion of electricity produced from renewable energy. But there are frequent power outages. There is subsidy on electricity costs for large businesses. But they release prices to reflect costs for medium-sized businesses, etc. As for Singapore and the Philippines There are not many resources. They use a system of liberalizing prices according to market mechanisms, etc.
Mr. Warit Rattanachun, Assistant Governor for Research, Innovation and Business Development, EGAT, stated that electricity production has the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) inspecting and supervising every step. both before starting the engine During engine operation And after starting the engine, every step EGAT must report to the Energy Regulatory Commission including the Transmission and Distribution System Control Center. Including the classification of power plants according to the licenses issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission.
For guidelines to make electricity prices fair to all sectors, Initially, the costs of each relevant sector must be clearly cleared up. to consider support and appropriate conditions So that the burden does not fall on any one group of people. Especially the public sector However, the social context has changed. There is a proposal that the electricity tariff is calculated according to the time of use of the electricity user (Time of Use Tariff: TOU) in order to distribute the time period of electricity use. This is a measure that has been in place for more than ten years. It should also be adjusted to be in line with the changing behavior of electricity use.
Mr. Wutthikorn Stithit, Chief Operating Officer, Upstream Petroleum and Natural Gas Business Group, PTT Public Company Limited, said that in terms of natural gas which is the main fuel for generating electricity, Currently, more liquefied natural gas (LNG) must be imported to use, but it is considered that the price of LNG is quite stable except during the Russian-Ukrainian war which caused the price to jump up a lot. It is currently $10 per million BTU. We must rely on gas during the transition to clean energy. PTT has the status of being one of the importers under the supervision of the Energy Regulatory Commission. There are also many importers.
However, it must be acknowledged that electricity production is a high investment. At the same time, the quality of electricity must also be taken into account. Thailand has come a long way in developing its electrical system. Until we cannot accept that there will be a power outage. But producing electricity is becoming more and more challenging day by day. Because the world has entered the digital era and AI that will cause the demand for electricity to double.
The key is a balanced mix of free competition and regulatory systems. All of which are driven by policies that must consider prices that must reflect costs so as not to create a burden on the country in the long run. Including preparing infrastructure to support more renewable energy coming in. The important thing is communication with the public.
Dr. Chana Phum, President of the Thai Cement Industry Association Emphasize that electricity is an important infrastructure. and is an important cost for entrepreneurs And a power outage for just 1 minute can cost up to 500,000 baht per time. At present, cement factories in Saraburi are increasingly using technology to produce their own energy. And there is an exchange of energy between each other in nearby areas. Reducing our cost of purchasing electricity. Leftovers purchased from the electricity system. 12,000-13,000 million baht of the remaining 20,000 million baht, 40% is produced for our own use, which we are ready to be a model for all sectors to exchange knowledge.
However, it is suggested that when the situation changes There is new technology being developed. Therefore, policies must be adjusted to keep up with the times. For example, the variable electricity fee (FT) that is adjusted every 4 months should be canceled. and turn to support energy storage (Energy Storage) appropriate to the area To provide flexibility in adjusting the user’s load. Including creating options for buying and selling electricity from multiple and diverse sources.
Mr. Natee’s side Sittiprasart Chairman of the Renewable Energy Industry Group The Federation of Thai Industries suggests that renewable energy power producers have always been defendants in society. Because the support in the beginning from the system of giving additional electricity tariffs made the cost of the system high. But if the government doesn’t subsidize The development of renewable energy in Thailand has not been able to progress until today. What we want to propose in order to reduce the cost of electricity in the system is to set aside a separate budget for welfare provided to the people, such as public electricity, investment subsidies for power plants in the 3 southern border provinces, etc.
Tags: Publisher promotes fair electricity prices Energy security pushes LOLE power outages hours year
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