Dr Phuwanart Choonhapran, Assistant Secretary General of the Office of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Thailand, explains how regulatory innovations are boosting energy security and modernising the grid. He also highlights the role of regional cooperation in accelerating Thailand's renewable energy adoption.
With a strong focus on renewable energy and renewable energy use, how is ERC ensuring energy security, grid stability and affordability?
Thailand's energy policy focuses on security of supply, grid stability, and affordability of energy prices, while also significantly increasing renewable energy sources. Natural gas remains crucial in supporting this sustainable energy transition. Additionally, grid expansion plays an important role in incorporating potential renewable energy in the country. The ERC needs to ensure that investments in infrastructure and grid modernisation are highly effective.
To address the instability associated with the growing integration of renewable energy, the ERC is continuing sandbox projects to develop advanced grid systems. These initiatives have significantly contributed to Thailand's energy transition by enhancing grid stability and increasing reliance on renewable energy sources.
How has the ERC's regulatory change contributed to the energy transition and the adoption of advanced technologies?
The ERC has introduced guidelines to establish a "Sandbox" platform for testing new business models and innovative power system management approaches. Under this scheme, the ERC issued a Request for Proposals to test the application of advanced technologies that enhance energy service provision.
The first phase of the ERC Sandbox was launched in 2021, followed by the second phase in 2022. Phase 2 focuses on green innovation and green regulation such as smart grids and energy storage. These have enhanced grid stability and improved the management of renewable energy variability, ensuring a more reliable power supply.
What areas of cooperation among ASEAN regulatory bodies does ERC envision to be important in advancing regional interconnectivity?
Collaborating on joint investments in renewable energy projects such as hydropower and solar farms can optimise resource utilisation and strengthen regional energy security. Additionally, sharing technical expertise among regulatory bodies improves regional energy systems. It does this by promoting best practices, technical standards, and policies for energy management, grid stability, and renewable energy integration.
Joint research projects and development initiatives further address common energy challenges and advance technological innovations. This collaborative approach will enhance energy security, improve access to affordable and sustainable energy, and drive the ASEAN region toward a low carbon future.
What would be the opportunities and challenges for Thailand in ASEAN's energy transition?
Thailand has significant opportunities to expand its renewable energy sources particularly in solar, wind, and biomass. The country's geographical and climatic conditions are conducive to these energy forms, which can help Thailand become a leader in green energy. Additionally, by reducing its reliance on imported fossil fuels through the development of local renewable energy, Thailand can enhance its energy security. This also stabilise energy prices and reduce vulnerability to global energy market fluctuations.
However, challenges remain. Thailand still depends on imports for crucial parts of renewable technologies, which makes it vulnerable to supply chain problems and market uncertainties. This highlights the need for stronger domestic manufacturing and more resilient supply chains. Furthermore, transitioning to renewable energy requires significant investment in new infrastructure such as smart grids and energy storage systems. These investments pose major challenges for smoothly integrating and rapidly deploying renewable energy sources.
How is Thailand supporting "A Connected and Sustainable Energy World", in line with this year's SIEW theme?
Thailand promotes the use of clean and renewable energy to align with world sustainability goals. We aim to significantly boosted renewable energy capacity, targeting an increase from 22 percent of total power generation in 2023 to 51 percent by 2037 under the new Power Development Plan.
Furthermore, Thailand's strong regional collaboration within ASEAN, including the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), enhances energy cooperation. This collaboration focuses on sharing best practices, addressing challenges, and fostering policy harmonisation and trust building.
About Dr Phuwanart Choonhapran, Assistant Secretary General, Energy Regulatory Commission, Thailand
Dr Phuwanart Choonhapran is an assistant secretary general of the Office of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Thailand, where he is responsible for promoting competition in gas and electricity sectors. He has promoted the competition in gas business by introducing Third Party Access Regime and Transmission System Operator (TSO) Framework to accommodate new gas shippers. He set gas provision regulations, gas demand forecast, standard contract terms for gas businesses, engineering and safety standards. In the electricity sector, he is responsible for the regulations of energy innovation and disruptive technologies, such as Utility Green Tariff (UGT) and regulatory sandbox. He is also a member of ASEAN Energy Regulators’ Network (AERN).
Prior to this Phuwanart worked as a product manager for SIEMENS in Germany, where he performed risk and reliability analysis of power plants.
Phuwanart earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering from Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany, his master’s degree from University of New South Wales, Australia and bachelor’s degree from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Thailand.