Alternative Energy Technologies for Long-term Power Generation Expansion Planning and CO₂ Mitigation in Thailand

Abstract

In 2009 electricity production in Thailand was heavily dependent on fossil fuels (more than 92.73%). Domestic natural gas fields are a plentiful energy resource but it is projected to be available only for the next decade. Using domestic natural gas would reduce national energy security. However, coal will dominate in electricity generation in Thailand due to its low price. Utilization of coal results in increasing CO₂ emissions. To comply with the low-carbon society policy of the Royal Thai Government, a high target of achievement in alternative energy share of 20.40% in total energy consumption in 2022 has been proposed. The obvious answer to this challenge is to take advantage of Thailand as an agriculture-based country, especially in domestic renewable energy and clean power generation. Thailand’s renewable power development plan strategy is considered by increasing the share to 2.40% in 2024. Electricity generation in this scenario is compared with future fossil-based power plants with carbon capture and storage and nuclear power in the long-term energy planning. Finally, the low carbon socity scenario for the emission abatement policy is introduced to mitigate emissions. Results are presented in total supply system cost, the incremental cost of CO₂ mitigation and the co-benefits of greenhouse gas mitigation when compared to the business-as-usual scenario. Finally, Thailand could reduce CO₂ emissions from the power sector by 15.27% in 2026.

Keywords:

• CO₂ mitigation
• co-benefits
• cost effectiveness
• MARKAL
• renewable energy