Thailand’s slow DPPA progress risks billions in foreign investment

Thailand has abundant renewables, but a closed power market. (Photo: EGAT)

The slow rollout of regulations for the Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA) has frustrated businesses and alarmed policy researchers, who fear that insufficient renewable energy deployment, combined with political uncertainty, could cost the country as much as THB 1 trillion (about USD 30.9 billion) in lost foreign investment.

Think tank flags risks from sluggish policy progress

According to Areeporn Asawinpongphan, an energy policy researcher at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), the Eastern Economic Corridor hosts many industries and is considered a hub for high-tech manufacturing. However, it lacks adequate renewable energy supply.