Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand's gas-fired South Bangkok power plant in Samut Prakan.
Energy authorities are preparing to expand Thailand's electricity generation capacity amid mounting concerns that rising demand from resource-intensive businesses, particularly data centres, could strain the national grid.An energy official who requested anonymity said Thailand's current installed capacity is 46,191 megawatts, excluding renewable sources. Peak demand during the hot season reached 36,758MW, leaving a reserve margin of less than 30%.
That figure marks a decline from last year's 38% reserve margin, according to an energy analyst.
The official dismissed claims by some observers that Thailand has reserve capacity of more than 50%, stressing that intermittent sources such as solar, wind and biomass cannot be counted as reliable supply.
Solar and wind power are inter- mittent sources of electricity, with output dependent on sunlight and weather conditions, which can affect supply stability.
