The Energy Minister has withdrawn the plan to increase electricity rates for households using over 400 units per month after receiving feedback that high consumption does not always mean high income. The electricity rate for the May-August period will remain unchanged, while efforts to reduce the rate for the first 200 units to 3 baht continue.
18 June 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Eknat Promphan, Minister of Energy, revealed that he is preparing to review the approach for restructuring household electricity rates. This follows the Energy Regulatory Commission's (ERC) public hearing on the proposal to implement a progressive electricity rate, with plans to delay the rate increase for users consuming over 400 units monthly after significant public feedback indicated that high electricity use does not necessarily imply high income.
Mr. Eknat further explained that the original idea was to reduce the electricity rate for the first 200 units per month to no more than 3 baht per unit, by redistributing some costs to users consuming more than 400 units monthly. However, feedback showed that many households have large numbers of members or are in the process of installing solar systems, which could be adversely affected by this measure. Therefore, a new approach is being reconsidered.
Meanwhile, the goal to reduce the rate for the first 200 units will continue, without shifting costs onto other user groups. Instead, the focus will be on addressing structural electricity system costs through three key measures: reviewing renewable energy purchase agreements that include the Adder subsidy, reducing system losses and improving public sector energy efficiency, and reviewing availability payments (AP) for power plants alongside managing less efficient plants.
Recently, the Ministry of Energy is preparing to propose to the National Energy Policy Committee (NEPC) within two weeks the establishment of a new electricity user category specifically for Data Centers, as this group consumes large amounts of electricity and is rapidly expanding investment in Thailand. The proposal will set a rate structure reflecting actual costs without burdening general electricity users.
“If we can successfully reduce the Adder burden, lower availability payments, organize electricity system costs, and ensure Data Centers bear appropriate costs, this will enable consumers using the first 200 units at 3 baht per unit without needing to raise rates for those using over 400 units,” he said.
, In the meantime, electricity rates will remain under the current structure, with the average rate for May to August at 3.95 baht per unit. At the same time, the Ministry is discussing with the three electricity agencies ways to assist households using no more than 200 units monthly—about 15 million households or two-thirds of the total 23 million household consumers nationwide. They may propose measures to the Cabinet for consideration by June or July at the latest.
Regarding fuel cost factors, the global price of liquefied natural gas (LNG) has started to decline from 25 dollars per million BTU to 15 dollars per million BTU, which will reduce electricity production costs and support potential future electricity rate decreases.
To support Data Center investments, the Ministry is promoting the opening of a free clean electricity market to meet foreign investors’ renewable energy demands, alongside expediting the preparation of a new Power Development Plan (PDP) within the next one to two months, setting targets to increase clean energy shares consistent with the country's Net Zero goals.
The Energy Minister added that the domestic oil price situation shows diesel prices have fallen to 38.80 baht per liter from 50 baht previously, with further reductions possible if global refined oil prices continue to soften. Meanwhile, the Oil Fuel Fund's debt has decreased to 50 billion baht from the previous 60 billion baht.
Additionally, the Ministry is studying long-term oil price restructuring, including referencing Singapore prices, reviewing premiums, and developing appropriate refining margin regulation to make the country’s energy pricing system fairer and more transparent in the future.