EGAT proposes THB35 billion EEC grid upgrade
EGAT seeks approval for a THB35 billion EEC transmission upgrade
EGAT has submitted an approximately THB35 billion proposal to strengthen transmission infrastructure in the Eastern Economic Corridor, deputy governor Warit Rattanachuen said at Gastech in Bangkok on 14 September. The investment requires government consideration and is not an announcement of completed capacity.
Bangkok Biz News reported that data center connection requests total about 35 GW, against roughly 40 GW of national peak demand, while the draft Power Development Plan allows for approximately 8.8 GW of data center demand. Connection requests do not establish that the requested power is available or committed.
Warit also outlined planned fast-response battery storage in the EEC and work on rules governing rapid changes in data center power consumption. New tariffs and bank guarantees covering transmission and distribution investment are under development, with greater clarity expected within the year.
ERC targets year-end clarity on data center electricity sales
Energy Regulatory Commission secretary-general Poolpat Leesombatpiboon said the regulator is preparing consultation on how licensed electricity suppliers serve data centers. The aim is to manage the cost of supplying large new loads without shifting the burden onto other electricity customers.
In comments reported on 14 September, he said existing and new data centers should ultimately operate under the same electricity-rate framework and conditions once the new rules are settled. The regulator is also assessing charges for using utility networks under Direct Power Purchase Agreements, with a conclusion targeted by the end of 2026.
Neither a final data center tariff nor a final network-use charge was announced in the report. Both remain material assumptions for projects comparing utility supply, green-tariff products and direct procurement.
Bangkok expands inspections while new permit decisions remain on hold
Bangkok’s administration has identified 49 data centers and introduced a five-part inspection checklist, according to its 14 September update. The checks cover buildings, resource use, environmental and community impacts, fire protection and evacuation exercises.
The Nation reported that officials are checking wastewater, air pollution, cooling-tower hygiene, heat and noise. The city is continuing random inspections and coordinating with electricity, water, fuel and environmental authorities.
Consideration of new construction or alteration permits remains suspended pending clearer definitions and operating guidance from the national data center committee. The city expected further clarity within two weeks. That timetable is an expectation, rather than a confirmed date on which applications will resume.
Eastern grid improvements target 900 MW by year-end
EGAT governor Narin Phoawanich said transmission improvements in eastern Thailand had added about 550 MW of capability earlier in 2026, with the figure expected to reach approximately 900 MW by year-end. Kaohoon reported the update on 14 September as EGAT outlined its response to growing data center demand.
Further upgrades could add more than 1,000 MW nationwide in 2027, according to the governor’s outlook. EGAT’s preliminary investment budget for that year is approximately THB40–50 billion.
These figures describe network improvements and plans across regions. They do not identify unallocated capacity at a particular substation, a site connection offer or a guaranteed energisation date.
NT secures feasibility funding for a new Thailand–U.S. cable
National Telecom and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency have signed a grant agreement for a feasibility study of the proposed Thailand–U.S. Submarine Cable System, known as THUS. NT announced the agreement on 14 September.
The study will examine technical and commercial feasibility, route options, project costs and investment models. U.S. consultancy APTelecom has been appointed to carry out the work.
The proposed trans-Pacific route would link Thailand with the United States through Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam. NT says the project is intended to replace aging connectivity and support Thailand’s expanding data center, cloud and AI sectors. Funding is for the study; construction, delivery dates and service availability remain to be established.
Gulf warns electricity pricing must preserve Thailand’s competitiveness
Gulf chief executive Sarath Ratanavadi said a dedicated electricity tariff for data centers can be considered, but must remain competitive with neighbouring markets. In comments reported on 14 September, he warned that excessive costs could divert investment and raise the cost of AI computing.
The THB5–6/kWh figures circulating in the debate are preliminary estimates, he said, with official terms still to be determined. Gulf continues investing in data centers but says it will select projects carefully.
USTDA backs an EGAT study of small modular nuclear reactors
USTDA announced a grant agreement with EGAT on 14 September for a feasibility study of U.S. small modular reactor technologies. The study will examine potential locations, costs and the regulatory steps needed for Thailand to consider nuclear generation.
The announcement describes technology options for approximately 600 MW and a vendor-neutral assessment spanning several U.S. reactor developers. It is preparatory work for Thailand’s long-term electricity supply, rather than an approved plant, a construction contract or power available to connect a data center today.
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