The Energy Policy and Planning Office’s Director, speaking on behalf of Thailand’s Ministry of Energy, has disclosed alarming statistics regarding the nation’s electricity consumption over the weekend. As temperatures soared to unprecedented levels, Thailand experienced its highest peak electricity demand on Monday, April 29, 2024, at 9:00 p.m., surpassing all previous records at a staggering 36,699.9 megawatts.
This surge in demand occurred amidst scorching weather conditions, highlighting the strain placed on the electricity grid. Notably, the peak demand transpired during the night, a period when solar power plants are inactive, exacerbating the challenge of meeting the heightened electricity needs.
While Thailand still maintains a reserve power generation capacity, known as the Reserve Margin, it has dwindled to approximately 25.8%. This represents a decrease from the previous year, where the reserve capacity stood at 30.9% during the peak demand in May 2023, which reached 34,826.5 megawatts.
In response to this concerning trend, the Ministry of Energy has pledged to intensify its monitoring of electricity usage and reserves nationwide. This proactive approach aims to bolster preparedness for potential energy emergency situations that may arise in the future, ensuring the stability of Thailand’s energy infrastructure amidst escalating demand and challenging weather conditions.