The National Energy Policy Committee (NEPC) convened its second meeting of the year at Government House yesterday (Aug 23), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Minister of Industry Akanat Promphan joined other senior ministers and agency heads to review major policy items. The committee approved a series of energy measures addressing renewable energy development, electricity tariffs, and long-term system management.
The NEPC endorsed progress on wind and solar power projects under its earlier resolution from May 2025. Wind projects were cleared to proceed with Power Purchase Agreements, while the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) was tasked with extending timelines and adjusting contract terms. For solar projects, utilities will negotiate tariffs with private developers based on benchmark rates from EGAT’s floating solar installations. Results must be finalized within 45 days, with extensions granted for projects offering reduced rates. Unresolved cases will be returned to the committee for further action.
The committee also approved extending the operations of Nong Bua Combined Heat and Power Plant Units 1 and 2 through September 2031. The extension aligns with gas supply contracts and supports electricity demand in northeastern provinces, cutting projected production costs by over 28 billion baht. At the Mae Moh Power Plant, NEPC approved deferring the shutdown of Units 8 and 11 to 2031 and extending the life of Units 12 and 13 to 2048 following refurbishment. The strategy lowers fuel import reliance and is expected to reduce the fuel adjustment charge by 3.67 satang per unit, saving around 9.6 billion baht annually.
For residential consumers, electricity tariffs will be reduced from September to December 2025, capping the rate at 3.94 baht per unit. The ERC and EPPO were assigned to define monthly usage thresholds, starting from 400 units, beyond which higher rates will apply. The goal is to offer broad relief without placing excessive strain on public subsidies. Final proposals will be reviewed by the Minister of Energy, with utilities required to implement changes once approved.
Additional measures included maintaining the system operator (SO) within EGAT under a ring-fenced structure, reversing an earlier decision to create a separate legal entity. The NEPC also reaffirmed that electricity exports must be priced no lower than domestic rates to protect local users. The committee then approved the expansion of the Demand Response (DR) program to help lower power generation costs, with the program set to be included in the upcoming Power Development Plan. (NNT)
