🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Approvals need clear timelines from Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) substations

• Thailand’s data center pipeline grew 40% CAGR from 2019 to 2024 1, while at least 284 MW disclosed across two of four approved projects strains a tight grid.
• Chonburi in the EEC is tightening fast, so securing 2026 blocks is hard and needs early engagement 1. The Board of Investment announcement covers licenses and investment value but gives no timing for EGAT lines or EEC substation upgrades to serve campuses.
• AI now takes 28% of total capacity in early 2025, up from 20% a year earlier 1. Many racks draw up to 40 kW 1, so without in-service dates for grid assets these approvals could sit on the shelf.

Renewable developers can time entry with Thailand’s Direct Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) pilot and auctions

• Draft Direct Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Regulation from October 2025 lets Board of Investment (BOI) data centers in Thailand buy renewables via third-party grid access up to 2,000 MW 2. Developers can plan offtake after finalization, as the draft can still change 2.
• The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) 2024 Renewable Energy Waitlist Scheme from September 2024 opens more feed-in-tariff quotas for projects commissioning in 2022 to 2030 3. It gives a path for teams that missed the 2022 round, which locked 5,203 MW 3.
• A green tariff program started in January 2025 4. Utility Green Tariff (UGT-2) will target wind and solar plus other renewables from private generators 4. That offers another route beyond Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) PPAs 4.