The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved the fuel adjustment rate (FT) for the September to December period at 16.23 satang per unit, resulting in the average electricity price remaining unchanged at 3.95 baht per unit. This includes drawing over 16 billion baht from the Claw back fund to subsidize and reduce the public's financial burden.
Mr. Poolpat Leesombatpaiboon, spokesperson for the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). He revealed that the ERC meeting reviewed public feedback and approved the adjustment of the electricity tariff according to the automatic fuel adjustment formula (FT) for the September to December period. The FT was set at 16.23 satang per unit. When combined with the base electricity price of 3.78 baht per unit, this results in an average electricity charge of 3.95 baht per unit (excluding VAT).
The stated FT reflects the estimated fuel and power purchase costs for September to December at 41.27 satang per unit after adjusting the natural gas price forecast to current conditions. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) continues to bear accumulated fixed costs (AF) of 31,268 million baht on behalf of the public. Concurrently, the ERC decided to use 16,127.17 million baht from the Claw back fund, equivalent to 25.04 satang per unit, to alleviate electricity costs, lowering the FT collected to 16.23 satang per unit.
Therefore, this FT determination complies with the service rate regulation criteria under Sections 65 and 67 of the Energy Industry Act B.E. 2550 (2007), which require rates to reflect true costs transparently, verifiably, and fairly for consumers. It also follows the ERC announcement on the 2021 Electricity Tariff Framework, Article 34, which allows the ERC to use Claw back funds to reduce electricity rates appropriately to mitigate crisis impacts and support tariff stability in the next regulatory period.
"The ERC prioritizes balancing the reflection of true energy costs with easing the public’s living expenses. Using the Claw back fund this time helps lessen the impact of rising fuel costs and allows maintaining the average electricity price at 3.95 baht per unit for another period. At the same time, it considers the long-term stability of the power system and the financial health of state energy enterprises," he said.
Regarding public feedback collected via the ERC website from 13 to 20 July, there were 445 views from 168 visitors and 7 comments. Some expressed concerns about living costs and suggested keeping electricity rates unchanged. The ERC considered all comments along with fuel cost data, accumulated fixed costs, and impacts on consumers in its deliberations.
Mr. Poolpat said the ERC will closely monitor global energy prices, liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices, exchange rates, and geopolitical factors to ensure future electricity rates reflect appropriate costs transparently and fairly for all sectors, while also mitigating impacts on the public and maintaining national energy system stability. The ERC will notify the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand’s distribution arms, namely the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), to proceed with collecting the approved electricity tariff for the September to December period.
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