The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has opened public consultation on electricity rates for the period September to December 2026, offering four options ranging from 3.95 to 4.73 baht per unit, hoping to use excess funds from PTT to keep prices stable. Opinions can be submitted until 20 July 2026.
Dr. Poolphat Leesombatpaiboon, Secretary-General of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and spokesperson for the ERC, revealed that in the ERC meeting No. 27/2026 (the 1,017th meeting) on 8 July 2026, the ERC resolved to open a public consultation on the variable electricity tariff (Ft) for the September–December 2026 billing period. Four scenarios were proposed, with average electricity rates (excluding VAT) ranging from 3.95 to 4.73 baht per unit, allowing electricity consumers and stakeholders to provide input before the ERC decides on the Ft rate.
Dr. Poolphat stated that the Ft estimation this round is affected by several fuel cost factors, especially natural gas prices, global market fuel reference prices, and volatile exchange rates. These result from the global energy situation and geopolitical factors, causing overall electricity production costs to rise, despite a seasonal expected decrease in electricity demand during this period.
“The ERC continues to prioritize balancing the reflection of true costs with mitigating impacts on citizens’ living expenses, considering appropriate cost management options. This includes using claw back funds and managing outstanding cost burdens (AF) in setting electricity rates to ensure rates are fair, transparent, and do not affect the electricity system's security or the financial stability of state energy enterprises in the long term,” Dr. Poolphat said during a press conference.
Previously, the ERC has gradually managed the outstanding cost burdens (AF) after the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) assumed fuel and electricity purchase costs on behalf of the public during past energy price crises. This has steadily reduced EGAT’s outstanding burdens, currently at 31.268 billion baht. In this consultation, the ERC has proposed multiple cost management options, including considering claw back funds to ease impacts on consumers. Feedback from all sectors will be considered before deciding on the Ft rate.
At the ERC meeting No. 27/2026 (1,017th meeting) on 8 July 2026, the ERC reviewed service rate determination criteria under Sections 65 and 67 of the Energy Industry Act B.E. 2550 (2007), which mandates EGAT to propose service rates for ERC approval. This process is clear, transparent, and includes stakeholder consultations as required by law. The ERC thus resolved to open consultation on the Ft rate options for the September–December 2026 billing period, reflecting different cost management approaches: cost reflection per formula, managing outstanding cost burdens (AF), revising natural gas price trends according to current situations aligned with Ministry of Energy policies, and considering claw back funds in rate setting. This allows public and stakeholder input before official Ft announcement. The four cases are as follows.
Case 1
The Ft calculation based on the formula (fully repaying EGAT’s outstanding cost burdens) results in a retail Ft of 94.82 satang per unit. This includes the Ft adjustment reflecting cost trends for September–December 2026 (FAC) of 46.27 satang per unit plus collection to compensate EGAT’s actual outstanding cost burdens (AF) amounting to 31.268 billion baht (equivalent to 48.55 satang per unit). EGAT will fully recover the fuel and electricity purchase costs borne on behalf of the public during past energy price crises by December 2026 to repay loans and restore financial liquidity promptly. Combining this Ft with the base electricity tariff of 3.78 baht per unit yields an average electricity price (excluding VAT) of 4.73 baht per unit, a 20% increase from the current 3.95 baht per unit. This estimate does not include the adjustment for outstanding natural gas cost burdens (AFGas) for September–December 2026 (period 3), amounting to 2.58 billion baht or about 4.01 satang per unit.
Case 2
In the FAC cost scenario for this period (EGAT’s proposal), the retail Ft is 46.27 satang per unit, reflecting the cost trend for September–December 2026. EGAT will absorb the accumulated outstanding cost burdens (AF) of 31.268 billion baht (48.55 satang per unit) on behalf of the public. Adding this Ft to the base tariff of 3.78 baht per unit results in an average electricity price (excluding VAT) of 4.25 baht per unit, an 8% increase from the current 3.95 baht per unit.
Case 3
This case adjusts the Pool Gas price to better reflect current conditions according to Ministry of Energy policy. PTT and EGAT jointly consider reducing the Spot LNG price to 17.6 USD per million BTU, resulting in an estimated average natural gas price over four months of 363.53 baht per million BTU (a decrease of 11.4 baht per million BTU). Consequently, the retail Ft reflecting September–December 2026 cost trends is 41.27 satang per unit (5 satang less than case 2). EGAT will continue to absorb the accumulated AF cost of 31.268 billion baht (48.55 satang per unit) on behalf of the public. Combining this Ft with the base tariff of 3.78 baht per unit results in an average electricity price (excluding VAT) of 4.20 baht per unit, a 6% increase from the current 3.95 baht per unit.
Case 4
This case also adjusts the Pool Gas price per current conditions and Ministry of Energy policy, and together with the ERC considers using claw back funds to mitigate impacts on consumers. The retail Ft is 16.23 satang per unit, reflecting September–December 2026 cost trends of 41.27 satang per unit. EGAT will absorb the accumulated AF cost of 31.268 billion baht (48.55 satang per unit) on behalf of the public, and the ERC will apply approximately 16.127 billion baht of claw back funds (25.04 satang per unit) held by the Electricity Authority to reduce the electricity burden amid the global energy crisis caused by unrest in the Middle East. Combined with the base tariff of 3.78 baht per unit, this keeps the average electricity price (excluding VAT) steady at 3.95 baht per unit, unchanged from the current period.
Dr. Poolphat added that the ERC continues to closely monitor domestic and international energy situations to ensure electricity rates reflect actual costs while protecting consumers and maintaining the country's energy system stability. Feedback received from this consultation will be considered alongside fuel cost data, outstanding cost burdens, and consumer impacts before the ERC announces the Ft rate for September–December 2026.
The ERC is accepting public comments via its website (www.erc.or.th) from 13 to 20 July 2026 before compiling feedback and making an official announcement.
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