Thailand holds electrochemical energy storage project

Does Thailand need a battery energy storage system?

Thailand may lack the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) necessary to navigate supply and demand challenges. The 2024 PDP draft included 10,000 MW of BESS, but this may see the country struggle to fulfil carbon neutrality and Net Zero commitments over the coming decades.

Why is battery storage a problem in Thailand?

This is partly due to a lack of clarity on how battery storage fits into existing electricity infrastructure. In 2022, the Thai government approved 24 BESS projects, all of which were located alongside solar operations. Their total combined storage capacity was 994 MW.

What is a battery energy storage system?

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are essential for buildings and renewable power generation facilities to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply. Renewable sources like solar and wind power are intermittent, and influenced by weather patterns. BESS mitigates this issue by storing electricity for future use.

Could a sodium-ion battery be a new business opportunity in Thailand?

The Federation of Thai Industries’ Renewable Energy Industry Club sees potential in sodium-ion battery (SIB) production as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries. SIBs, made from rock salt, could offer a new business opportunity given Thailand’s abundant rock salt reserves.

What is Thailand's 2024 Power Development Plan?

Thailand’s 2024 power development plan (PDP) aims to increase renewable energy use, highlighting the importance of BESS alongside solar panels and wind turbines. This could create new business opportunities for entrepreneurs if prices decrease or new technologies emerge for stationary batteries.

Why do some solar projects in Thailand have non-firm PPAs?

Many solar projects in Thailand have non-firm PPAs in place due to a lack of storage on site. Arrangements, including BESS, reduce the strain on power grid infrastructure and allow for better planning. On the downside, these do not improve grid stability, nor do they provide power generators with more pathways to increase revenue.