Availability and Reliability of Electricity System
Electricity is a fundamental factor in daily life, household operations, and large-scale business activities. It plays a vital role in driving the country’s economic development. Therefore, the EGAT is committed to enhancing its operations to ensure energy security, minimize energy loss during generation and transmission, and maintain the adequacy and efficiency of the power system. These efforts are carried out in alignment with government policies and international standards, aiming to provide inclusive access to electricity across all sectors of society and to manage electricity cost components in a fair and appropriate manner.
| Targets for 2024 | Performance |
| ● Energy Not Served (ENS) not exceeding the 5-year moving average | ● ENS achieved as targeted |
| ● System average interruption duration index (SAIDI) not exceeding the 5-year moving average | ● SAIDI achieved as targeted |
| ● System average interruption frequency index (SAIFI) not exceeding the 5-year moving average | ● SAIFI achieved as targeted |
| ● Availability factorOEE (AFOEE) | ● AFOEE below target due to extended planned outages from unexpected equipment damage and higher-than-expected unplanned shutdowns |
National Power Development Plan
EGAT serves as a representative on the Subcommittee on Load Forecast and Power Development Plan Formulation. The subcommittee is responsible for preparing long-term electricity demand forecasts for the country, which serve as a foundation for planning and formulating national electricity policies, reporting on electricity demand trends and providing technical analyses and recommendations related to demand forecasting and power development planning. These efforts aim to ensure the long-term efficiency of electricity procurement in Thailand, while maintaining power system security and supporting investment in electricity infrastructure expansion.
In addition, EGAT is responsible for developing its power plant and transmission system projects listed in the Power Development Plan (PDP), ensuring timely completion. EGAT also procures electricity from domestic private producers in accordance with announcements by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), and from foreign private producers as approved by the Cabinet under the resolutions of the National Energy Policy Council (NEPC).
National Power System Control Center
The primary mission of the National Control Center (NCC) under EGAT is to manage power generation from contracted sources, including EGAT’s power plants, Independent Power Producers (IPPs), Small Power Producers (SPPs), and imports from neighboring countries, to ensure a real-time balance between electricity supply and demand. This is done with a focus on public benefit, system reliability, power quality, and cost efficiency, regardless of the generation source.
NCC also oversees the stability of power flow across the grid, enabling continuous electricity delivery, managing system disturbances and approving equipment shutdowns or activations in line with maintenance schedules.
NCC ensures power supply readiness and system reliability through a structured generation dispatch planning process, based on the following priorities:
- Power System Security – Operations must comply with the N-1 Contingency Criteria, meaning that if any equipment or power plant is unexpectedly disconnected from the grid, the power system must still be able to supply electricity continuously, with voltage and frequency maintained within international standards.
- Contractual Compliance – Dispatch must follow power purchase agreements and relevant policies, including accepting electricity from non-firm small power producers (SPPs) based on their declared availability, and supporting future renewable energy projects.
- Cost Optimization – After meeting system security and contractual obligations, NCC dispatches generation units based on cost-effectiveness to ensure optimal electricity production costs.
Efficient operation planning of power plants requires comprehensive tools and accurate data, particularly reliable electricity demand forecasts. These forecasts serve as a critical foundation for planning electricity generation to ensure a balanced alignment between generation and load. However, electricity demand is influenced by a wide range of dynamic and volatile factors, such as weather conditions.
To maintain the stability of the power system, it is therefore essential not only to have accurate forecasting data but also to ensure that power plants are adequately prepared to respond promptly to unforeseen circumstances. In this regard, EGAT has strategically scheduled maintenance outages in alignment with the condition of the power system and ensured that reserve generation capacity meets established standards.
Additionally, EGAT has developed system control protocols and generation plans that are coordinated with the maintenance schedules of transmission system equipment and grid enhancement projects. The organization also continuously monitors and assesses changes within the system, updates relevant data and conducts both short-term and long-term forecasts. These efforts aim to ensure that generation plans closely reflect actual future conditions, thereby enhancing the reliability and resilience of the national power system.
Despite comprehensive control measures, the power system may encounter emergency situations that exceed predefined thresholds. To manage risks associated with unforeseen events that could impact system stability, EGAT in collaboration with relevant public and private sector agencies, has developed emergency response manuals. These manuals are regularly reviewed and rehearsed to ensure readiness across all activities within the electricity generation and supply chain.
Preparedness plans include emergency scenarios such as disruptions in the power generation system or natural gas pipeline network, with natural gas being the primary fuel for electricity generation in Thailand. These plans are developed in cooperation with PTT Public Company Limited and agencies under the Ministry of Energy. Additionally, EGAT has formulated, reviewed and conducted drills for the Blackout Restoration Plan, aimed at restoring the system to normal operation as swiftly as possible in the event of transmission system failures. The organization also maintains contingency plans for various types of disasters, including fire and flooding, to ensure comprehensive risk mitigation and system resilience.
EGAT’s Power Generation and Transmission System Development Projects
Renewable Power Plant Construction Projects
| Project | Objective | Detail | Operation in 2024 |
| Hydro Floating Solar Hybrid Projects | |||
| Hydro Floating Solar Hybrid Project of Ubol Ratana Dam, Unit 1 | Stabilizing renewable power plants through the Integrated Renewable Firm Power System to indirectly enhance grid reliability, while maximizing resource efficiency with no adverse impact on communities or the environment | Installation of 24 MW floating solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) of 6 MWh | Commercial operation date on 5 March 2024 |
| Hydropower Plant Development Project at Irrigation Dams | |||
| Lam Pao Hydropower Plant | Maximizing the benefits of water resources including effective management for agricultural and irrigation purposes to support communities downstream of irrigation dams | – Contract generating capacity of 2.5 MW – Commercial operation date in November 2029 | The project was approved by the Cabinet on June 18, 2024, and is currently undergoing permitting and construction. |
| Lam Takong Hydropower Plant | – Contract generating capacity of 1.5 MW – Commercial operation date in December 2029 | The project was approved by the Cabinet on June 18, 2024, and is currently in progress. | |
| Mae Thor Hydropower Plant | – Contract generating capacity of 1.25 MW – Commercial operation date in February 2027 | The project was approved by the Cabinet on June 18, 2024, and is currently in the process of tender announcement and document sales. | |
| Kra Siew Hydropower Plant | – Contract generating capacity of 1.5 MW – Commercial operation date in February 2027 | The project was approved by the Cabinet on June 18, 2024, and is currently in the process of tender announcement and document sales. | |
Electricity Purchasing Project
| Source | Operation in 2024 |
| Independent Power Producer (IPP) | Between 2019 and 2025, power purchase agreements (PPAs) totaling 5,000 MW were signed with EGAT under the third phase of the Independent Power Producer (IPP) procurement policy. The projects include (1) Gulf SRC Power Plant, comprising 4 units, each with a contracted capacity of 625 MW, totaling 2,500 MW. All units commenced commercial operation in 2022. (2) Gulf PD Power Plant, also comprising 4 units of 625 MW each, totaling 2,500 MW. Units 1 and 2 began commercial operation in 2023, while Units 3 and 4 followed on 31 March 2024 and 1 October 2024 respectively. In addition, under the national Power Development Plan (PDP), there is a major power plant project that is Hin Kong Power Plant (Western Replacement Project), consisting of 2 units, each with a contracted capacity of 700 MW, totaling 1,400 MW. Unit 1 began commercial operation on 1 March 2024, and Unit 2 is scheduled to begin operation in 2025. |
| Small Power Producer (SPP) | The total contracted electricity generation capacity amounts to 9,319.875 megawatts (MW), comprising 6,050.00 MW from cogeneration systems, of which 5,772.00 MW are classified as Firm and 278.00 MW as Non-firm, and 3,269.875 MW from renewable energy sources, including 587.53 MW as Firm and 2,682.345 MW as Non-firm. Currently, EGAT is in the process of procuring electricity based on the resolutions of the Energy Regulatory Commission as follows: (1) Electricity procurement from municipal solid waste projects under the 2022 Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme, with 34 projects totaling 282.98 MW in contracted capacity, of which 4 projects are SPPs with a combined capacity of 98.00 MW. (2) Electricity procurement from renewable energy sources under the 2022–2030 FiT scheme for fuel-free projects, with 175 projects totaling 4,852.26 MW, including 83 SPP projects with a combined capacity of 4,346.22 MW. Of these, 5 projects have already commenced electricity sales totaling 295.00 MW. (3) Under the additional round of the same FiT scheme announced in 2024, 72 projects have been selected with a total capacity of 2,145.40 MW, including 35 SPP projects totaling 1,914.15 MW. However, the National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) has resolved to temporarily suspend the power purchase process, including the signing of contracts with the three electricity authorities, pending verification of project accuracy. |
| Neighboring countries | The total contracted capacity of 6,234.9 MW comprises 5,934.9 MW from IPP in the Lao PDR. Between 2022 and 2023, EGAT signed power purchase agreements with several hydropower projects in Laos, including the Luang Prabang Hydropower Project with a contracted capacity of 1,400 MW, the Pak Lay Hydropower Project with 763 MW, the Pak Beng Hydropower Project with 897 MW, and the Xekong 4A and 4B Hydropower Projects with a combined capacity of 347.3 MW. These agreements represent an additional contracted capacity of 3,407.3 MW. In addition, electricity is also imported through the Thailand–Malaysia High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission system, with a contracted capacity of 300 MW. |
Transmission System Construction and Improvement Projects
EGAT has implemented 19 projects to construct and expand the national power transmission system across the country as follows:
| No. | Project | Objective | Progress (%) | Completion date |
| 1 | Transmission System for Power Purchase from Independent Power Producers (IPPP) | Develop transmission system to support domestic private power plants | 77.51 | October 2026 |
| 2 | Expansion of Main Transmission System for Small Power Producers (SPPC) | 100.00 | December 2025 | |
| 3 | Transmission System for Firm Small Power Producers (TSFC) | 100.00 | September 2024 | |
| 4 | Power System Improvement for Small Power Producers Phase 1 (SPP1) | 1.21 | May 2026 | |
| 5 | High Voltage Substation Improvement for Grid Connection Compliance (SICC) | Enhance future power system stability and support domestic private power plants | 2.91 | December 2029 |
| 6 | Transmission System for Floating Solar and Hydropower at Ubolratana Dam (URS1) | Support EGAT power plants | 100.00 | June 2024 |
| 7 | Expansion of Transmission System in Bangkok and Vicinity Phase 3 (GBA3) | Support increasing electricity demand | 78.63 | December 2028 |
| 8 | Transmission System Expansion Phase 12 (TS.12) | 84.77 | October 2026 | |
| 9 | Transmission System Improvement in Eastern Region (TIPE) | Enhance future power system stability | 52.02 | June 2027 |
| 10 | Transmission System Improvement in Western and Southern Regions (TIWS) | 76.19 | April 2027 | |
| 11 | Transmission System Improvement in Northeast, Lower North, Central, and Bangkok (TIEC) | 35.31 | June 2029 | |
| 12 | Transmission System Improvement in Lower Southern Region (TILS) | 45.11 | June 2028 | |
| 13 | Transmission System Improvement in Upper Northern Region (TIPN) | 37.65 | December 2025 | |
| 14 | High Voltage Substation Improvement in Southern Region for Security and Flood Prevention (HSIS) | 3.20 | April 2027 | |
| 15 | Submarine Cable System Development to Koh Samui District, Surat Thani (SPSS) | – | June 2029 | |
| 16 | Improvement of Power Supply Configuration for High Voltage Substations (IETS) | – | December 2027 | |
| 17 | Improvement and Expansion of Aged Transmission System Phase 1: Substations (RSP1) | Improve and expand aged transmission system | 93.56 | December 2025 |
| 18 | Improvement and Expansion of Aged Transmission System Phase 1: Transmission Lines (RLP1) | 97.71 | December 2025 | |
| 19 | Improvement and Expansion of Aged Transmission System Phase 2 (RTS2) | 89.62 | October 2026 |
Note: As of 25 December 2024
Grid Connectivity
EGAT supports regional energy exchange and trading initiatives (Grid Connectivity) in alignment with the following resolutions, strategies, and policies.
- The resolution of the National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) Meeting No. 1/2019 (16th session) calls for the study and development of the national transmission system to enhance power system reliability and efficiency, positioning Thailand as a regional electricity trading hub (Grid Connection).
- EGAT’s strategic direction includes becoming a regional electricity market operator, which necessitates feasibility studies on interconnection with neighboring countries to pave the way for future development of energy trading businesses.
- The policy on electricity imports from neighboring countries, as outlined in Thailand’s Power Development Plan (PDP 2018 Revision 1) for 2018–2037, aims to procure electricity from abroad to promote energy accessibility, accommodate renewable energy integration, reduce domestic power plant investment costs and enable efficient resource allocation among countries.
EGAT engages in regional electricity exchange through both bilateral and multilateral power trade mechanisms. Bilateral power trade is conducted with neighboring countries, namely the Lao PDR and Malaysia, via alternating current (AC) and high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems respectively.
EGAT also participates in multilateral power trade with regional partners, with a notable success being the Lao PDR–Thailand–Malaysia Power Integration Project (LTM-PIP), under which Laos exports electricity to Malaysia through Thailand’s existing transmission infrastructure. Building on the success of this initiative, member countries agreed to expand electricity trade to Singapore under the Lao PDR, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore Power Interconnection Project (LTMS-PIP).
Phase 1 of the LTMS-PIP, implemented from June 2022 to June 2024, was successfully completed, with more than 266 million units of electricity traded. Phase 2 of the project involves a maximum trade volume of 200 MW over a two-year period, utilizing two transmission routes.
- Route 1: Electricity generated from clean energy (Green Source) of up to 100 MW is transmitted from Lao PDR to Singapore through the existing transmission system of Thailand and Malaysia. At present, the power purchase is under negotiation.
- Route 2: Electricity generated from fossil fuel (Brown Source) is transmitted from Malaysia to Singapore via existing transmission infrastructure in both countries. This route complements Phase 2 of the LTMS-PIP, aiming to reach the maximum trade volume of 200 MW. On 20 September 2024, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) of Malaysia and SP Group of Singapore signed the Cross-Border Power Trade Interconnection Agreement (CBPTIA), marking the start of Phase 2. The first trade occurred on 26 September 2024, with up to 30 MW transmitted.
On December 11, 2024, during the 2nd meeting of the Subcommittee on Electricity Cooperation between Thailand and Neighboring Countries, the committee approved the implementation of LTMS-PIP Phase 2 and acknowledged Thailand’s wheeling charge rates for direct electricity transactions between producers and consumers. EGAT was assigned to negotiate the wheeling charge and draft the Energy Wheeling Agreement (EWA) for the project.
Grid Modernization
Technological advancements in electricity generation and consumption, combined with the 4D1E policy (Digitalization, Decarbonization, Decentralization, De-Regulation and Electrification) and Thailand’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, are driving the widespread adoption of small-scale renewable energy generation across the country. This includes Small Power Producers (SPPs), Very Small Power Producers (VSPPs) and electricity consumers who become self-generating producers (Prosumers). Additionally, the increasing use of electric vehicles is contributing to more volatile and rapidly changing electricity consumption patterns within the EGAT system.
Existing tools and equipment in the power system may not be able to respond effectively to these changes. As the key agency responsible for national power system security, EGAT is modernizing the grid with intelligent management systems and actively supporting regulatory and policy reforms to remove operational constraints. These efforts aim to ensure a reliable and resilient power system capable of adapting to future changes in the electricity industry structure.
EGAT’s Grid Modernization initiative comprises five key components:
- Digital Control Platform: A platform for managing and controlling the power system, including data analysis for demand forecasting, renewable energy generation forecasting, power plant availability and cost analysis, and automated selection of appropriate generation resources to maintain supply-demand balance under various constraints
- Infrastructure Expansion Planning and Development: Planning and development of essential infrastructure such as power plants, transmission systems, energy storage systems, and technologies to support the National Control Center (NCC) and Regional Control Centers (RCCs) in maintaining future system stability
- Transmission Protection, Control, Monitoring and Asset Management: Enhancing fault detection capabilities to prevent system damage and applying technologies for efficient maintenance of transmission networks to ensure readiness and optimal utilization
- New Agreement and New Business: Revising EGAT’s contractual frameworks to reduce operational constraints and increase flexibility in power system management
- Support: Developing data collection systems, communication networks and cybersecurity measures to enable seamless, secure and automated operation of the future power system
EGAT has outlined plans to modernize the power system and enhance its responsiveness across three key areas as follows:
| Subproject | Details |
| Digital Control Platform | |
| RE Forecast/ Control Center | – To develop a spatial day-ahead forecasting model for renewable energy power plants – To establish a regional renewable energy forecasting center for the count |
| Demand Response Control Center (DRCC) | – To assess the benefits of implementing the pilot Demand Response (DR) project in power system control, and to prepare for the development of infrastructure and command systems for future DR operations |
| Infrastructure Expansion Planning and Development | |
| Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) | – To integrate Pumped-Storage Hydropower Plants into the grid-scale electricity network to enhance the stability of renewable energy sources entering the system |
| Transmission Protection Control Monitoring and Asset Management | |
| Geographic Information System (GIS) Development Plan | – To develop a Geographic Information System (GIS) as a centralized platform for integrating control and protection systems, as well as asset maintenance data, supporting prescriptive maintenance for transmission systems to ensure efficient power delivery and accommodate increasing renewable energy integration |
| Development of Intrusion Forecasting System under Transmission Line | – To develop an application or risk visualization system for transmission equipment by monitoring, alerting, and resolving issues using smart cameras – To establish a big data management system and a risk analysis platform to identify equipment requiring maintenance |
| Development of the transmission equipment health forecasting system | To create a predictive system for assessing the health and operational readiness of transmission equipment, such as transformers and circuit breakers. This enables condition-based maintenance planning, helping reduce long-term maintenance costs and extend equipment lifespan |
Access to Energy
Thailand continues to rely on natural gas as the primary fuel for electricity generation and must import spot LNG to meet rising domestic demand. Due to the current volatility in natural gas prices, the government has implemented measures to reduce electricity costs during the energy price crisis. One such measure is the adoption of the Pool Gas pricing mechanism for calculating electricity generation costs, as approved by the National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) under the Single Pool policy, effective from January 2024.
Additionally, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) issued a regulation in March 2024 outlining the supervisory framework for Pool Managers. The Pool Gas price is a weighted average of gas prices and volumes from various sources, including domestic gas from the Gulf of Thailand (excluding gas used for LPG production), gas from Myanmar and LNG imported by licensed shippers. This policy aims to lower natural gas prices, ease the electricity cost burden on consumers in the long term and promote competition in the second phase of the natural gas industry liberalization.
Regarding electricity charges, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) resolved that EGAT would temporarily absorb the accumulated Fuel Adjustment Charge (Ft) on behalf of consumers, starting from the September December 2021 billing period. EGAT has also worked closely with the government to manage fuel resources and reduce electricity generation costs. This includes restarting Mae Moh Unit 4 and postponing the retirement of Mae Moh Units 8–11 until December 2025, thereby maintaining low-cost, domestically sourced lignite power generation. This helps reduce reliance on high-priced spot LNG imports and diversifies the fuel mix to enhance national energy security.
Although the ERC resolved to gradually reimburse part of the accumulated Ft burden to EGAT during 2023 – 2024 to ease liquidity constraints, the continued volatility in natural gas prices and the potential rise in exchange rates remain significant risks to EGAT’s financial stability. Without a clear schedule for the full reimbursement of the outstanding Ft burden, EGAT may face the risk of a credit rating downgrade which would negatively impact its ability to secure financing and increase financial costs for both EGAT and private power producers.
As a state enterprise, EGAT operates under government policies and regulated electricity pricing structures. Electricity prices and EGAT’s profits are overseen by the ERC to ensure sufficient revenue for investment and operations. EGAT’s profits are not only remitted to the Ministry of Finance as state revenue for national development, but are also reinvested in critical electricity infrastructure such as power plants, substations and transmission lines to strengthen energy security. Over the past 55 years, EGAT has consistently used its retained earnings for these purposes. These retained earnings, however, cannot be used to offset rising fuel costs.
Performance
In 2024, EGAT’s power generation system development continued to comply with the energy security criteria outlined in the Power Development Plan 2018 Revision 1 (PDP2018 Rev.1), as approved by the National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) and the Cabinet on 19 March 2020 and 20 October 2020 respectively.
Additionally, EGAT’s operations were in accordance with NEPC Resolution No. 2/2023 (Meeting No. 165) dated 9 March 2023, which approved EGAT’s implementation of transmission system construction and upgrades to support electricity procurement from renewable energy sources during 2021–2030, as part of PDP2018 Rev.1 (updated) and the second revision of the power generation expansion plan. The projects are funded by a Cabinet-approved budget designated to support renewable energy integration and to enhance transmission system capacity, if necessary.
Details of operations to ensure power system availability and reliability are as follows:
Contract Capacity and Electricity Demand
Note: Preliminary actual value as of December 2024 refers to contract capacity of EGAT system from the website of the System Control Division and information of contract capacity of
- Department of Alternative Energy Development and Energy Efficiency
- Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA)
- Very Small Power Producers (VSPPs) from the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) as of December 2024
Comparison of Contract Capacity in 2023 and 2024 classified by Type of Power Producers
Note:
1. Statistical value as of December 2023 refers to the Report of Energy Statistics of Thailand 2023, Energy Policy and Planning Office
2. Preliminary actual value as of December 2024 refers to contract capacity of EGAT system from the website of the System Control Division and information of contract capacity of
2.1 Department of Alternative Energy Development and Energy Efficiency
2.2 Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA)
2.3 Very Small Power Producers (VSPPs) from the Metropolitan Electricity Authority MEA) and the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) as of December 2024
Contract Capacity classified by Type of Power Producers
Note:
1. IPP (Independent Power Producer) has the generating capacity more than 90 MW
2. SPP (Small Power Producer) has the generating capacity 10-19 MW
3. VSPP (Very Small Power Producer) has electricity in the system of not exceeding 10 MW
4. Statistical data of December 2022 and 2023 refers to energy statistics of Thailand 2022 and 2023 of Energy Policy and Planning Office
5. Preliminary actual value as of December 2024 refers to contract capacity of EGAT system from the website of the System Control Division and information of contract capacity of
5.1 Department of Alternative Energy Development and Energy Efficiency
5.2 Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA)
5.3 Very Small Power Producers (VSPP) from Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) as of December 2024
Indices of Performance
Note: For EGAT, performance index of quality service applies to unplanned outages which is used for evaluation of the operations
Average Availability Factor of Power Plants
Note:
1.Data referenced from the Generating Availability Data System (GADS) as of 20 January 2025.
2. The GADS system is a database that collects data on electricity generation, operational activities, and fuel consumption in the production process of EGAT power plants.
3. Power plants are classified by operation areas (there is no power plants in the western area) in accordance with the classification of the Power System Control and Operation Division
4. Definitions and data are referenced from the GADS database system.
4.1 Planned outage hours mean the total number of planned outage hours and the number of unplanned outage hours which can fix the date of operating shutdown more than 7 days in advance (Maintenance Outage Hours) (Unit: Hour)
4.2 Forced outage hours mean the number of unplanned forced outage hours which is emergency shutdown hours when there is a warning system or when the machine disconnects from the system (Forced Outage Hours) (Unit: Hour)
4.3 Availability factor (AF) corresponds to the hours ratio value of availability hours of the power plant to the Service factor of GADS database system with calculation formula as follows: Service Factor (SF) = the number of availability hours and service hours of the power plant / the number of period hours X 100 (Unit %)
4.4 Calculation of the overall operating results is calculated by the time-based and find a capacity weighted average by the gross maximum capacity (GMC) of each generating unit