Articles by
Sopitsuda Tongsopit, Chris Greacen
An assessment of Thailand’s feed-in tariff program
By
Sopitsuda Tongsopit, Chris Greacen
Thailand was one of the first Asian countries with a comprehensive feed-in tariff program, with
streamlined interconnection regulations adopted by the Thai Cabinet in 2002 and technology-specific
tariff ‘Adders’ in 2006. This paper presents an overview of the country’s feed-in tariff, or Adder, program
and its development. As of December 2011, Thailand has about 8000 MW of renewable energy
projects in the pipeline seeking Adder and about 1000 MW already connected and selling power to the
grid. Thailand’s feed-in tariff program has undergone significant transitions especially since 2010 in tariff
levels and screening criteria partly in response to applications for 471 solar electric power plants
exceeding 2000 MW. A powerful new oversight committee comprising utility and Ministry of Energy
representatives has raised concerns regarding transparency and consistency, and significantly reduced
approval rates of new applications.