The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is seeking public input on proposed electricity tariff adjustments for May to August, aiming to manage electricity generation costs and impact bill limits. The ERC reviews fuel tariffs quarterly to reflect economic conditions.
ERC Secretary-General, Komkrit Tantravanich, presented three options for adjusting the fuel tariff (FT) to address Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) debt and regulate electricity bills. The first proposal suggests raising the FT to 165.24 satang per unit, facilitating EGAT in clearing its 99.6 billion baht debt, with the electricity bill cap set at 5.44 baht per unit.
Alternatively, the second approach advocates for a FT increase to 55.72 satang per unit, allowing EGAT to address its debt in four installments while setting the power bill cap at 4.34 baht per unit. However, EGAT would still carry a post-August debt of 74.76 billion baht.
The third option proposes maintaining the current FT at 39.72 satang per unit, with the power bill cap at 4.18 baht per unit. Under this plan, EGAT’s debt would be managed in seven installments, leaving a residual debt of about 85.68 billion baht after August.
Public feedback on these proposals is solicited through the ERC’s website until March 22, with a final decision expected thereafter.
Komkrit highlighted that electricity generation costs for May-August are forecasted to decrease, owing to a reduction in LNG prices. Despite anticipated increased output from the Erawan natural gas field, Thailand’s reliance on imported LNG from Myanmar, especially during peak summer consumption, is expected to persist.