National Energy Policy Office
Energy Sector Liberalisation
and Privatisation in Thailand
by Piyasvasti Amranand
Inspector General, Office of the Prime Minister
APEC Energy Working Group
Implementation Facilitation Team to Thailand (IFAT)
A Follow-up Workshop
Karon Villa & Karon Royal Wing
17-18 August 2000
National Energy Policy Office
Management of the Energy Sector
•Since there is no Energy Ministry in Thailand,
responsibilities related to energy are scattered across 9
Ministries.
•The National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) is
responsible for determining energy policy.
•The National Energy Policy Office (NEPO) acts as the
secretariat to the NEPC. NEPO undertakes policy as well
as regulatory work.
•In the near future, an independent regulatory authority
will be established for the electricity and natural gas
sectors.
National Energy Policy Office
Objectives of Reform
•Increase competition to achieve efficiencies and ensure
supply at reasonable prices
•Promote more efficient energy use
•Reduce the government investment burden
•Ensure best possible service, price and safety standards
•Encourage public participation
•Develop the capital market
•Optimise the value of the public’s stake in the sector
National Energy Policy Office
Implementation of ESI Deregulation
•The process started in 1992 and effort over 1992-
2000 has concentrated on introduction of
competition at the generation level
–New Investment : Small Power Producer (SPP),
Independent Power Producer (IPP) programs and
power purchase from Lao PDR
–Existing Asset : Initial Public Offering (IPO) of EGCO in
the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and sale of
14.9% to China Light and Power
•Development of a long term structure for ESI in
1992 with updates in 1996, 1998 and 2000
National Energy Policy Office
Implementation of ESI Deregulation
(con’t)
•The latest plan approved by NEPC on 13 July 2000
provides a detailed road map of reform over the next
5 years
•Restructuring under the current plan
–Privatisation of Ratchaburi Power Plant (2000)
–Privatisation of EGAT’s Thermal Power Plants (2003)
–Establishment of a power pool and independent regulatory
body (2002/3)
–Introduction of retail competition (2003)
–Restructuring of MEA and PEA