Thailand’s household electricity tariffs remain unchanged
Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga affirmed that electricity tariffs for households in Thailand will remain unchanged from May to August, maintaining the current rate of 4.18 baht per unit. Pirapan, also serving as a deputy prime minister, explained that this decision has been made possible due to the continuation of gas production in the Gulf of Thailand by PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP).
“The present rate will be upheld for as long as feasible, as PTTEP guarantees gas extraction in the Gulf of Thailand from April onwards.”
Pirapan further commented that other beneficial factors, such as cheaper imported liquefied natural gas, would support the ministry’s endeavour to keep the fuel tariff (Ft) at 4.18 baht (US$0.12).
Pirapan plans to visit the Erawan gas block, operated by PTTEP, in the Gulf of Thailand to assess its capacity. The Erawan gas block is anticipated to provide a cost-effective gas supply for Thailand, enabling the ministry to sustain the current Ft rate since gas constitutes 60% of fuel used for power generation within the country, reported Bangkok Post.
“I am confident that there will be no increase in electricity bills as we are striving to ease financial pressures on the public.”
Pirapan has engaged in talks with various stakeholders, including the energy permanent secretary and the energy regulatory commission, to devise strategies to retain the current Ft rate and ensure that it does not surpass 4.68 baht (US$0.13) per unit. Presently, the government offers an Ft rate of 3.99 baht (US$0.11) per unit for households consuming no more than 300 units of electricity per month.
In related news, an exclusive update from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), consumers can breathe a sigh of relief as Secretary-General Komkrit Tantravanich guarantees minimal disruption to household electricity bills.
Komkrit reassures the public that from May through August, electricity rates will hover between 4.20 to 4.25 baht per unit. Moreover, this promising price stability is linked to a surge in natural gas supply from the Gulf of Thailand, projected to hit a whopping 800 million cubic feet per day in April.
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