BANGKOK — Thailand’s nuclear power plant project is about to make its debut as the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) plans to sign a MoU with the Office of Atoms for Peace on November 15. This agreement aims to establish a study committee to outline the operational framework, conduct public hearings and promote clean, low-cost energy.

The project will focus on public education and plans to build small plants with capacities under 300 MW. It will use advanced SMR ( Small Modular Reactor) technology, which is characterized by a high level of safety and a limited radius of less than one kilometer. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) states that electricity costs could fall significantly from 4 baht to just 2 baht per unit.

Study Committee for Nuclear Power Plant

Poonpat Leesumbatipaiboon, Secretary General of the ERC, told “Prachachart Business” that nuclear power plants are a clean energy solution that is in high demand worldwide and that advances in safety technology make them safer than before.

On November 15, the ERC will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Office of Atoms for Peace to establish a committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Energy, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and other relevant agencies.

This committee will develop an operational framework, curricula and legal requirements while consulting the public. The ERC may regulate licenses and supervision similar to other power plants.

Thailand’s Power Development Plan (PDP) 2024 provides for the integration of nuclear power plants in the final part of the plan by 2037, contributing 1% to the 51 clean energy target.

SMR: A Viable Option for Thailand

The ERC Secretary General mentioned that Thailand is suitable for small nuclear power plants or Small Modular Reactors (SMR) with a capacity of less than 300 MW per module. SMRs are cost-effective, require little space and use prefabricated reactors, which offer more safety than on-site construction. The primary fuel, uranium, is not available in Thailand but can be imported from countries such as Mongolia, Ukraine and Australia.

The main problem is public awareness, as past disasters such as the Chernobyl nuclear power plant explosion in Ukraine and the Fukushima disaster in Japan are often cited as arguments against nuclear energy due to the population’s exposure to radiation.

EGAT’s Preparations

EGAT, responsible for the stability of the national power supply, has been researching the best alternative energy sources for Thailand. Recently, EGAT organized a media visit to a small nuclear power plant (SMR) in Hainan, China, where the central government aims to generate 50% of Hainan’s energy from clean sources by 2025. The aim is to make Hainan an “energy-free island” by 2030, with 54 coming from nuclear energy, 20 from solar energy and 15% from wind energy.

EGAT Governor Thepparat Theppitak explained that while global demand for green power is increasing, renewable energy sources have limitations in terms of stability and high cost. SMR technology, on the other hand, offers both a stable power supply and environmental friendliness, as it operates 24 hours a day and does not emit carbon dioxide.

Although SMRs have higher investment costs than thermal power plants (2-3 times), they offer a longer operating life (up to 60 years) and lower fuel costs, making them a worthwhile investment.

Community Acceptance Comes First

Nateekul Kriengchaiporn, a level 10 engineer at EGAT who specializes in nuclear power plants, explained that SMRs are modular reactors with a production capacity of less than 300 MW that are manufactured and assembled off-site. These units can be transported by truck or rail for installation.

There are currently no legal barriers preventing private companies from developing nuclear power plants in Thailand, but adequate nuclear infrastructure and public acceptance are essential for private sector participation. As a government agency, EGAT will play a crucial role in building the first nuclear infrastructure.

The Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) reported that Thailand’s electricity reserves will be 25.8% by April 30, 2024, down from 30.9% last year.

Uranium Found in Thailand but in Insufficient Quantities

Aditat Waseenon, director-general of the Department of Primary Industries and Mines, noted that information from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment indicates that various types of uranium ore are found scattered throughout Thailand. High-grade secondary uranium ore has been found at the Yip In Tsoi mine in Ban Thung Pho, Songkhla province, and at Ban Khun Thong Lang, Na San district, Surat Thani province.

Medium-grade uranium ore was found in the Tin Ped mine in Phang Nga province, while low-grade uranium is found in Ban Rai district, Uthai Thani province. Uranium ore was also discovered in sandstone in the Phu Wiang district of Khon Kaen province.

However, the quantities found are too small to justify mining. If exploration reveals economically viable and large uranium deposits in the future, exploration and mining licenses could be granted. There is hope that significant uranium deposits could eventually be discovered in the sandstone-rich regions of the Korat Plateau in Nakhon Ratchasima province, despite the currently small quantities.

Reducing Electricity Costs to 2 Baht per Unit

Isares Ratanadilok Na Phuket, vice president of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), explained that Thailand should consider nuclear power plants because of their stability compared to renewable energy sources, as nuclear power plants can operate 24 hours a day, similar to fossil fuels. However, these power plants should be small (SMR) or micro (MMR) reactors due to their lower cost and advanced technology, which could reduce electricity prices from the current level of about 4 baht to 2 baht per unit.

Suitable sites for nuclear power plants should be far away from communities, possibly on islands or underground, with strict safety standards. Although Thailand is not rushing into nuclear power, extensive studies and additional data are still needed, and the move away from natural gas as a fuel must be gradual. It is expected that a nuclear power plant can be commissioned within the next decade, similar to Germany, Japan and the United States.

Another promising alternative is hydrogen energy. However, any nuclear power plant project in Thailand must be led by EGAT so that it can increase its share of national electricity production from the current 32% to 50%, with 50% of the profits going back to the state.

BOI Yet to Grant Investment Incentives

Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the Board of Investment (BOI), explained that there are currently no investment incentives for electricity generation from nuclear energy or nuclear power plants. If there were to be such incentives, they would depend on the direction of the new energy development plan and government policy.

According to the BOI, nuclear power generation is currently not among the incentivized types of power generation in the utilities and basic services category. Incentives are currently only available for electricity generation from waste, renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass, biogas, hydrogen and other forms of energy.

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