Report Thailand's Solar Bill Sparks Debate Over Ministerial Power

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Riverhouse Phuket

 

A new push to amplify solar energy use in Thailand has ignited a political stir, as critics caution that the proposed legislation could endow the energy minister with excessive control over solar energy deployment. The bill, designed to streamline solar panel installations and energy trading, faces a mix of support and skepticism from industry stakeholders.

 

Treerat Sirichantaropas, CEO of New Energy Plus Solutions and a former Deputy Secretary General of the Thai Sang Thai Party, voiced strong opposition on X (formerly Twitter). He argued that the bill grants the energy minister undue power to set regulations, approve installations, and determine power buyers, potentially hindering solar adoption rather than promoting it. "Will it hinder usage instead of encouraging it?" Treerat questioned.

 

Conversely, Dusit Kraungam, chairman of the Thai Photovoltaic Industries Association, offered a more hopeful perspective. He acknowledged the bill's broad language but views it as a foundation for future laws that could ease the rooftop solar approval process. "With the new law, small and medium-sized businesses will be more eager to install solar panels to reduce their power bills," Dusit noted, citing economic pressures motivating the shift to lower-cost energy solutions.

 

Thailand already harnesses over 4,000 megawatts of solar power, from large-scale farms to floating grids and urban rooftops, much of which integrates into state power systems or private agreements. Despite the recent close of public consultations on May 30, Treerat stands firm against the bill, criticizing its provision that allows the minister to dictate equipment usage, power delivery methods, and pricing.

 

In parallel, the Energy Regulatory Commission is reassessing regulations governing private power producers, though peer-to-peer energy sales remain excluded for now. As Thailand charts its course toward a greener energy future, industry insiders remain vigilant, questioning whether this legislation will catalyze sustainable energy growth or merely serve political interests.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-04

 

 

[MarkBR]

I'll be grateful when I can get PEA to pay my partner & I for the electricity excess we generate from our 10 solar panels then supply to Lamphun Province.

[CallumWK]

5 minutes ago, MarkBR said:

I'll be grateful when I can get PEA to pay my partner & I for the electricity excess we generate from our 10 solar panels then supply to Lamphun Province.

 

Keep dreaming.

I recently was in Belgium, and there they have now a new law, that you may have to PAY the utility company for the electric you feed to the network.

The explanation is that the operators have use of more than enough cheap electricity. So when they have an abundance of electricity, you may have to pay them to take the electricity you generate.

[johng]

Well in both the above posters cases ...buy some bigger batteries  and stop sending excess to the grid...of course eventually they will regulate away that option and not only will you have to pay to have solar installed on your property but also

pay for the production !