Thailand’s electricity rate of 4.68 baht only a suggestion, says Energy Ministry

The suggested electricity rate of 4.68 baht per unit is merely a proposal, confirmed Energy Ministry spokesperson Pongsapol Yodmuangcharoen today.

Emphasising that the final price falls under the purview of the Energy Ministry and is overseen by Energy Minister Peeraphan Salirathaviphak, Pongsapol assured that it won’t be fixed at this figure. He further confirmed that consumers will not face an excessive burden.

Peeraphan has instructed a team to explore ways to decrease electricity costs for the public, averting a shock after the new year. The aim is to maintain the price at around 4 baht per unit, with efforts to lower it as much as possible.

A more feasible price within the ministry’s management capabilities is approximately 4.20 baht per unit, employing a hybrid management mechanism. This approach involves multiple steps beyond merely reducing the standard electricity price and extends beyond the matter of debt repayment to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT).

The rate of 4.68 baht per unit is just a preliminary calculation made by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), based on a single variable, which is the repayment of debt to EGAT. The ERC’s function is to suggest theoretically, much like an academic team, while the executive team, the Energy Ministry, is under the supervision of the Energy Minister.

The aim is to ensure that the electricity price for users is managed in a way that is fair and does not place an excessive burden on the public.

Affordable energy

This news comes in light of the ongoing debate about electricity prices in Thailand, a country that relies heavily on energy for its economic development. The government has been trying to balance the need for affordable energy with the costs associated with its production and distribution. With rising global energy prices and the ongoing debt repayment to EGAT, the challenge of maintaining reasonable prices for consumers remains a key focus for the Energy Ministry.

The Ministry’s efforts to manage the price and reduce as much as possible, while also dealing with debt repayment, is a clear demonstration of its commitment to protecting the interests of the public. The proposed rate of 4.68 baht per unit is, therefore, just a suggestion and not the final price that consumers will pay.

This clarification from the Energy Ministry is an important reminder of the complexity involved in managing energy costs and the ongoing efforts to ensure affordability for consumers, reported KhaoSod.

The ministry has assured that the final price will be less than the proposed 4.68 baht, highlighting its commitment to keeping energy costs manageable for the public. This is a welcome reassurance for consumers who have been worried about the potential increase in electricity prices.

The ministry’s ongoing efforts to find ways to reduce the burden of electricity costs on the public are a clear demonstration of its commitment to the Thai people.