Thailand unveils rooftop solar push to cut LNG dependence

Thailand is launching an aggressive push to put rooftop solar panels on a million homes within the next year, a move aimed at insulating households from volatile liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices linked to the Middle East conflict.

Energy Minister Akanat Promphan said the government will help the public install 5 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity. The initiative will draw on a 400 billion baht ($12.02 billion) emergency borrowing decree, which has earmarked 200 billion baht for the green energy transition.

Last month, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas indicated that each household could receive 50,000 baht ($1,502) in financial support, along with access to loans, to offset the cost of installation.

The rooftop programme will be integrated into Thailand's broader power development plan. Akanat described the strategy as "very aggressive," spanning 25 years and aiming to lift the share of renewables in the national power mix to 60%, with natural gas supplying the remainder.

To support this shift, the plan includes deploying carbon capture technology at gas-fired plants, upgrading energy storage systems, and modernising the grid. The minister also noted that Thailand is seeking new, longer-term LNG supply agreements to stabilise imports regardless of geopolitical developments.

Natural gas currently fuels about 64% of the country's electricity generation. Thailand imported 10.4 million metric tons of LNG last year, half of which were spot purchases, according to data intelligence platform Kpler.

Separately, PTTEP, the exploration arm of state-owned energy giant PTT, has budgeted for exploring new gas fields in the Andaman Sea and Myanmar, Akanat added.