AsiaElec: Thailand to launch second-phase renewable energy scheme

Thailand is set to launch the second phase of its 3.6-GW renewable energy scheme in the fourth quarter of this year, following the resolution of a legal dispute related to the first phase, as reported by VNA.

Local media reported that the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has been unable to proceed with the second phase after the Central Administrative Court suspended the state’s plan to purchase 1,500 MW of wind power. This suspension was due to alleged irregularities in the selection process for power plants in the first phase, which has a combined capacity of 5.2 GW from wind, solar, and biogas energy sources.

The court's ruling came after Khon Kaen Wind 2 Co., a subsidiary of renewable energy firm Energy Absolute (EA), filed a complaint against the ERC, claiming a lack of transparency and fairness in an auction conducted between late 2022 and April 2023. The ERC has announced plans to appeal the ruling; however, EA has recently opted to withdraw its complaint, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The ERC will await the court’s clarification before preparing for a new auction under the second phase of the scheme. "The commission will be more careful in draughting the conditions and requirements for the auction to prevent doubts among participating companies, which could lead to further legal disputes," the official said. Currently, the ERC is in the process of selecting three new members for its board to replace those who have retired.

The seven-member board will consider revising the conditions and criteria for screening companies in the second phase of the scheme. The upcoming phase will focus on increasing renewable power generation from solar and wind farms, as well as from industrial waste-to-energy initiatives.

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