The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is accelerating the purchase of electricity from renewable energy to support the demand for green electricity. It is expected to announce the purchase of electricity from renewable energy in the form of Feed-in Tariff (FiT) in 2022 – 2030 within this September.
Dr. Poolpat Leesombatpaiboon, Secretary-General of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and spokesman for the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), revealed the progress in considering the purchase of additional electricity from renewable energy. According to the resolution of the National Energy Policy Committee (NEPC) No. 2/2566 (No. 165) on March 9, 2566, it is set to open the purchase of electricity from renewable energy in the second round, totaling 3,668.50 megawatts, consisting of the following fuel types: (1) Ground-mounted solar power, 2,632 megawatts (the quota will be divided among those who were not selected in the first round, totaling 1,580 megawatts, leaving 1,052 megawatts for general invitation
to purchase); (2) Wind power, 1,000 megawatts (the quota will be divided among those who were not selected in the first round, totaling 600 megawatts, leaving 400 megawatts for general invitation to purchase); (3) Biogas (wastewater/waste), 6.50 megawatts; and (4) Industrial waste, 30 megawatts. At present, the ERC has issued the ERC Regulation on the Procurement of Electricity from Renewable Energy in the Form of Feed-in Tariff (FiT) for the Year 2022 – 2030 for the group with no fuel cost 2022 (additional) 2024 and effective from 21 September 2024, which is the purchase of additional electricity from the original list of applicants for wind power and ground-mounted solar power who have passed the technical readiness and have been evaluated but were not selected, totaling 198 applicants, who are applicants for electricity generation who have passed the minimum technical readiness criteria (Pass/Fail Basis) and have been evaluated for readiness according to the quality score criteria (Scoring), but because th
e procurement has reached the target, they were not selected in the previous round. In the next step, the EGAT is considering preparing to issue an announcement for the purchase of electricity from renewable energy in the form of Feed-in Tariff (FiT) 2022 – 2030 for the group with no fuel cost 2022 (additional) 2024 within this September. By giving rights to the original group of 198 names to submit the form of expression of interest to join the selection. The ERCT will consider purchasing electricity from the results of the readiness assessment according to the quality score criteria (Scoring) that has been prepared without having to adjust or modify the electricity sales proposal. The total electricity purchase volume does not exceed 600 megawatts for wind power and does not exceed 1,580 megawatts for ground-mounted solar power. It is expected that the ERCT office will announce the selection results by the end of 2024.
Previously, the EGAT has monitored the status of renewable energy power procurement proj
ects in the form of Feed-in Tariff (FiT) for 2022-2030 for the group with no fuel cost in 2022, namely (1) biogas (wastewater/waste), (2) wind, (3) ground-mounted solar power with energy storage system, and (4) ground-mounted solar power, which are in accordance with the EGAT resolution at the 3/2022 meeting (No. 158) on May 6, 2022, totaling 4,852.26 megawatts, and the renewable energy power procurement project in the form of Feed-in Tariff (FiT) for 2022-2030 for industrial waste, which is in accordance with the EGAT resolution at the 4/2022 meeting (No. 159) on June 22, 2022, totaling 100 megawatts. Previously, there was a legal lawsuit, resulting in the Administrative Court ordering a stay of enforcement of the announcement of the list of selected project candidates. The 22 types of wind energy fuels have resulted in the delay of commercial electricity delivery to the grid, affecting the green electricity certification process according to the Utility Green Tariff (UGT) guidelines of the Energy Regulatory
Commission, which requires electricity generation from renewable energy in the electricity purchase project.
“After the administrative dispute occurred and the Administrative Court issued an order to suspend the enforcement of the announcement of the list of selected project candidates in the wind energy fuel category, the EGAT had to delay the project to wait for clarity from the results of the appeal of the order to suspend the enforcement. Later, the Supreme Administrative Court dismissed the plaintiff’s request to suspend the enforcement of the announcement of the list of selected project candidates. Most recently, Wind Kalasin 2 Co., Ltd. filed a request to withdraw the lawsuit, and the Central Administrative Court issued an order to allow the withdrawal of the lawsuit and dismiss the case from the list of cases. As a result, the current process of purchasing electricity in the new round, which was delayed from the original schedule, can proceed,” said Dr. Poolpat.
Dr. Poolpat added that on July 31, 20
24, the Energy Policy Administration Committee (EPC) approved the principle of postponing the commercial operation date (SCOD) for wind-fueled projects affected by the Administrative Court’s order and assigned the ERC to consider adjusting the time frame for entering into power purchase agreements and adjusting the SCOD to suit the changing situation of each project as appropriate, which must not exceed the framework by 2030. The 22 selected project participants must notify their intention to request a postponement of the SCOD for the ERC’s consideration before signing the contract.
Source: Thai News Agency