Thailand to Shift From LNG Toward Renewables, Doubling Clean Energy Target

Thailand plans to shift away from imported gas and embrace renewables and nuclear power as it builds an energy system less vulnerable to external shocks such as the Iran war, Bloomberg reported. Energy Minister Akanat Promphan said the Southeast Asian nation aims to generate 60 percent of its electricity from clean energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro within 25 years, double its previous goal.

A Post-Shock Energy Strategy

The war in Iran and the resulting volatility in global energy markets exposed the risks of relying on imported liquefied natural gas. Thailand's updated 25-year national power plan, to be officially released in October, will set out the new targets and the mix of renewables, nuclear, and gas-fired generation the country intends to build.

Clean Energy Ambition

The 60 percent clean electricity target marks a sharp acceleration for a country that has leaned on gas for a large share of its power generation. Analysts said the plan signals growing confidence in falling solar and wind costs across Southeast Asia, where a project pipeline of utility-scale renewables has expanded rapidly in recent years.

Implications for the Region

Thailand's move adds to a wave of energy policy shifts across Southeast Asia as governments balance energy security against climate commitments. The new power plan will determine how much of the country's future capacity is met by imported LNG terminals, domestic renewables, and nuclear plants, shaping investment decisions for utilities and project developers over the next decade.