Battery energy storage installation in Bangkok

Does Thailand need a battery energy storage system?

Thailand may lack the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) necessary to navigate supply and demand challenges. The 2024 PDP draft included 10,000 MW of BESS, but this may see the country struggle to fulfil carbon neutrality and Net Zero commitments over the coming decades.

Is energy storage a new business model in Thailand?

Energy storage is in its infancy in Thailand, and new business models are already emerging. As the regulatory framework adapts to accommodate new players in the market, we expect to see greater penetration in this area. Notes Energy Policy and Planning Office, Ministry of Energy, electricity statistics

Why is battery storage a problem in Thailand?

This is partly due to a lack of clarity on how battery storage fits into existing electricity infrastructure. In 2022, the Thai government approved 24 BESS projects, all of which were located alongside solar operations. Their total combined storage capacity was 994 MW.

Are there grid-scale energy storage projects in Thailand?

There are currently few grid-scale energy storage projects in Thailand, although the situation is likely to change. In furtherance of its commitments under the Paris Agreement, the Thai government has enacted policies which envisage renewable energy accounting for the majority of grid capacity and output by 2040.