The increase, up from 10-12% of total powersupply at present, is needed because Thailand is committed to achieving carbonneutrality by 2050, said Tanachai Bunditvorapoom, chief executive of AbsoluteClean Energy.
The country has plans to reduce carbon dioxideemissions in the power sector, but similar efforts in other sectors areunclear, so it needs to increase the target in the PDP. That means thepower sector needs to try harder to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, he said.
In 2021, Thailand declared at the 26th UNClimate Change Conference in Glasgow its commitment to seriously tackle climatechange. The country aims to reach carbon neutrality and set a net-zero targetby 2065. Regulated by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), a renewable powergeneration scheme was initiated.
According to Sarat Prakobchart, deputydirector-general of the Energy Policy and Planning Office, authorities areconsidering increasing the renewable power target to more than 50% to ensureThailand can significantly cut carbon dioxide emissions, but some challengesremain.
They need to consider the possibility ofhigher electricity bills, driven by costly renewable power, he said.
Thailand may lose competitiveness if the country totally supports renewable powerwithout considering its budget limitations, he added./.