Egat evaluating SMR, hydrogen fuel cell tech

Exploring options to hit new net-zero goal

- SOMHATAI MOSIKA.

Mr Warit said Egat has studied SMR technology from several countries, including China and South Korea.

As Thailand aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, relevant agencies must explore solutions for electricity generation such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and hydrogen fuel cell technologies.

According to the draft power development plan (PDP) created in 2024, which was scrapped due to a change in administration, the share of renewable energy in the power mix was set to rise to 51% by 2037.

Two SMR power plants with a combined capacity of 600 megawatts are planned by 2037, supporting a net-zero goal of 2065.

With the new net-zero target coming 15 years earlier than the previous plan, the Energy Ministry is drafting a new PDP with revisions to key issues.

During a site visit in South Korea, Warit Rattanachuen, deputy governor for strategy at Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat), said the authority monitors global developments in SMR technology and collaborates with various organisations, both domestically and internationally, to study SMR projects.

“To achieve its net-zero target in 2050, Thailand does not have many new solutions. The challenge lies in educating the public and fostering an understanding of this technology,” Mr Warit said.

While traditional nuclear power plants typically spark public safety concerns following the Fukushima disaster, SMR technology features a smaller reactor than traditional ones. It uses heat from the nuclear fission reaction instead of fuel combustion; therefore, it does not emit carbon dioxide, which could help Thailand reduce carbon emissions.