Nam Phong Power Plant is the largest power plant of the Northeast and the only plant using natural gas as fuel in electricity generation.

From the petroleum exploration in the Northeast by a concessionaire, there were about 10 sources of petroleum in Udorn Thani and Khon Kaen Provinces. Later in 1981, natural gas was found at the depth of 4,000 meters in Nam Phong District, Khon Kaen Province with a reserve of 1.5 trillion cubic feet. The Company negotiated the purchase with the government and prepared the Plan for Nam Phong Gas Source Development for 2 phases. The first phase was to test the gas well to estimate the exact amount of gas reserve and prepared for the long term development of gas production. The second phase would be commercial production.

The continued economic growth of Thailand over the past years had resulted in the rising demand for electricity rapidly, EGAT therefore planned to construct Nam Phong Power plant using natural gas from Nam Phong source in Khon Kaen Province as fuel. Later, natural gas in Phu Hom source, Nong Saeng District, Udorn Thani Province was used additionally for electricity generation to strengthen security for the power system in the areas of the Northeastern part. This responded to the government policy to use indigenous domestic resources for the maximum benefit.

The Project of Nam Phong Block 1 was approved by the government on April 8, 1989. The construction began on May 16, 1989 whereas Block 2 was approved on September 16, 1991 and started the construction on May 16, 1992. The construction of these 2 Blocks was completed in April 1994.The total generating capacity is 650 MW. The opening ceremony was performed on November 19, 1994.

The Power Development Plan (2018- 2037) (PDP 2018) which is the master plan to acquire electricity to meet the demand sufficiently for support economic growth of the country and increasing population was approved by the National Energy Policy Council and the cabinet on January 24, 2019 and on April 30, 2019. Nam Phong Power Plant Replacement Project is the project to strengthen security of the power system of the Northeast using natural gas as fuel in electricity generation in response to the government policy to use natural gas in the country for the maximum benefit. The Commercial Operation Date of the power plant is scheduled in 2025.  

At present, Nam Phong Power Plant has the generating capacity totaling 650 MW.

• Block 1 with the generating capacity of 325 MW
• Block 2 with the generating capacity of 325 MW