Thailand Plans for 600 MW of Nuclear Energy In The Next Decade
Thailand, one of the developing countries in Southeast Asia, is now preparing to realize its clean energy transition. With a projected population of 71.6 million in 2025 and rapid growth in both the industrial sector and urbanization, electricity demand in Thailand has become one of the highest in the region. However, its heavy reliance on fossil fuels, up to 85% in 2024, predominantly from natural gas, has caused emissions to nearly double over the past two decades. The long-term implications for public health and the environment demand the exploration of reliable alternative clean energy sources.
Government initiatives to adopt clean energy alternatives are still ongoing. In 2024, only 15% of Thailand’s electricity came from low-carbon sources, which remains insufficient to offset the dominance of fossil fuels. Therefore, according to the Power Development Plan (PDP) 2024, Thailand has set an ambitious target of generating 51% of total installed capacity from renewables by 2037, a significant increase from the previous 36% target. Moreover, natural gas use will be reduced from 57% to 41%, coal-fired power plants from 20% to 7%, and the remaining 1% will be allocated to nuclear and other new energy sources.
Thailand’s decision to boost renewable energy capacity while allocating a share of its capacity to nuclear power reflects a deliberate and calculated energy strategy. While renewables are clean, their intermittency and dependence on weather and climate conditions make them insufficiently reliable as a sole energy source. Nuclear energy, with its scalability and high energy density, can help meet energy needs while complementing the intermittency of solar and wind power. Although nuclear energy is projected to remain a relatively small share of Thailand’s energy mix in the future, could it nevertheless play a significant role in shaping Thailand’s clean energy future and sustainable development?
From Vision to Reality: Thailand’s Nuclear Energy Adoption Journey
Thailand’s nuclear adoption agenda is not new. In the 1970s, the country attempted to launch a nuclear energy program through several feasibility studies. However, these efforts were suspended due to public opposition, economic concerns, and the discovery of domestic oil and gas resources in the Gulf of Thailand, which provided cheaper and more accessible alternatives. By the 1980s, as domestic fossil fuel reserves dwindled, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) reconsidered nuclear power development, but the project again faced strong opposition from the public and environmental activists. A second attempt came in 2010, when Thailand integrated a 2,000 MW nuclear power plant (NPP) into its PDP, scheduled to begin operation between 2020–2021. However, public concerns escalated after the Fukushima disaster in 2011, forcing the government to shelve the project.
The inclusion of nuclear power in the PDP 2024 marks Thailand’s third effort to integrate nuclear energy, this time with a focus on advanced nuclear technologies through two 300 MW Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) by 2037. To be developed and operated by EGAT, the project aligns with Thailand’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2065. With advancements in nuclear safety and reactor design, SMRs are expected to diversify the country’s energy mix while meeting its long-term energy demands.
Unlocking the Potential of Next-Gen Nuclear Technologies for Thailand’s Sustainable Growth
Thailand’s decision to launch its nuclear program through SMRs is regarded as strategic due to their flexibility and enhanced safety systems. The planned 600 MW SMR project is targeted to begin construction in 2032, with full commercial operations expected as early as 2035 and an operational lifespan of 60 years. The plan will split production capacity between two regions, 300 MW in the Northeast and 300 MW in the South, ensuring an even distribution of power supply to strengthen national energy resilience.
Choosing SMRs over conventional reactor designs reflects a carefully calculated focus on safety. SMRs are typically designed with passive safety features that allow the reactor to cool without operator intervention or external power. This significantly lowers the risk of core meltdown, a key failure in Fukushima, where power loss crippled cooling systems. SMRs are also designed with underground containment, reducing the potential release of radiation into the environment. Moreover, SMRs operate at much smaller capacities than conventional reactors (typically under 300 MW), meaning their smaller reactor cores contain less fissile material and thermal energy, offering a lower overall risk profile. The modular nature of SMRs also allows for factory-based construction and off-site transportation, minimizing on-site construction risks. For Thailand, land-based water-cooled SMRs are suitable candidates given their passive safety features, automatic heat removal, and low risk of radioactive leakage. Thailand’s abundant water resources also support reactor cooling requirements, making them particularly compatible with medium-sized transmission grids.
Building the Legal Foundations of Thailand’s Nuclear Energy Future
Planning a nuclear energy program requires thorough preparation, particularly for a newcomer country. Thailand must ensure readiness across technology, legal frameworks, public acceptance, education, and supporting infrastructure. Since 2019, the Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP) has acted as the country’s nuclear regulatory body, tasked with ensuring safe nuclear technology use and establishing a legal foundation for licensing nuclear facilities. This framework is based on the Nuclear Energy for Peace Act B.E. 2559 (2016) and its 2019 amendment, which set out unified licensing and regulatory systems to ensure safety, security, and international compliance.
The law mandates licenses for all nuclear activities, immediate incident reporting, broad enforcement authority for regulators, and operator obligations to maintain radiation protection programs and emergency protocols. Furthermore, on November 19, 2024, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation issued four key ministerial regulations under the amended Act to strengthen radioactive and nuclear material controls and prepare Thailand for nuclear energy deployment:
The Ministerial Regulation on the Approval Relating to Radioactive Materials B.E. 2567 (2024)
The Ministerial Regulation on the Approval Relating to Nuclear Materials and Used Nuclear Fuel B.E. 2567 (2024)
The Ministerial Regulation on the Construction of Nuclear Operations and Services for the Management of Radioactive Waste B.E. 2567 (2024)
The Ministerial Regulation on Safety Measures for Licence Holders in Case of Nuclear or Radioactive Emergencies B.E. 2567 (2024)
Beyond legal frameworks, Thailand is also taking complementary initiatives to support SMR development. To build a skilled workforce capable of understanding and managing nuclear technology, EGAT has partnered with Chulalongkorn University and international SMR developers. Meanwhile, the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) has begun environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for potential SMR sites. On emergency preparedness, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has started integrating nuclear-specific protocols into the national disaster management framework. These include evacuation planning, radiation monitoring, and tailored public communication strategies to build trust and demonstrate the government’s commitment to safety.
Global Partnerships Strengthening Thailand’s Nuclear Energy Ambitions
Thailand’s nuclear advancement also shows promising international collaboration. On March 21, 2025, the Thai government, represented by Minister of Higher Education Supamas Isarabhakdi, and South Korea, represented by Ambassador Park Yongmin, signed an agreement to advance nuclear research and development for peaceful purposes and clean energy. This reaffirmed South Korea’s commitment to support Thailand through knowledge-sharing, technology exchange, and expert collaboration in nuclear energy, nuclear safety, nuclear fusion, artificial intelligence (AI), and space technologies.
Subsequently, on June 10, 2025, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and EGAT signed an MoU to study SMR technology to support Thailand’s clean energy transition. Signed by Park Insik, Executive Vice President, Overseas Business Division of KHNP, and Thidade Eiamsai, Deputy Governor for Power Plant Development and Renewable Energy at EGAT, the MoU set a framework for collaboration. It marked a significant milestone in Thailand–Korea nuclear cooperation, focusing on project feasibility, best practice exchanges, and human resource development through training, site visits, and joint programs.
Thailand has also expanded ties with the United States through the 123 Agreement, which came into effect on July 9, 2025. The agreement enables the transfer of nuclear materials, equipment (including reactors), components, and information for civilian nuclear energy and research. It provides a framework for peaceful nuclear cooperation while strengthening Thailand’s commitment to non-proliferation of nuclear technologies.
Navigating the Strategic Hurdles of Thailand’s Nuclear Energy Future
Despite its potential benefits, integrating nuclear energy into Thailand’s strategy presents several challenges, with economic feasibility as a primary concern. Although SMRs have lower upfront costs than conventional reactors, capital requirements remain high, while long-term cost-effectiveness is not yet fully proven. Thailand must therefore carefully assess financing mechanisms and deployment models. Typically, nuclear power programs are funded through a combination of direct and indirect government support, state-owned utilities, and commercial financing, often backed by revenue guarantees, long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs), or regulated asset base (RAB) models to reduce investment risks. Public–private partnerships, project financing, vendor financing, and loans from multilateral development banks also play a role. For Thailand’s SMR project, with an estimated total investment of USD 2.88 billion, projected revenues could reach USD 24.18 billion from electricity sales over the plant’s lifetime, averaging USD 403 million per year, which would significantly boost the national economy through a substantial contribution to GDP.
Beyond economics, public acceptance and awareness also play a critical role in nuclear deployment. Recent surveys still show concerns about nuclear safety and waste management, underscoring the need for transparent communication and education. To address this, the government has launched campaigns in schools and public forums to highlight the enhanced safety features of modern SMRs and their role in achieving net-zero emissions. Nevertheless, Thailand’s nuclear development must also take lessons from past radiological incidents. In 2000, an improperly stored disused cobalt-60 medical device in Samut Prakan was dismantled by scrap workers, leading to three fatalities and radiation exposure for more than 1,800 people. More recently, in 2023, a cesium-137 gauge went missing from a power plant in Prachin Buri and was later found melted at a scrapyard. Although no injuries were reported, the operator’s delayed notification to regulators resulted in criminal charges under the Nuclear Energy for Peace Act.
Thailand’s Nuclear Energy Trajectory: Navigating a Sustainable Future
To prepare its nuclear initiative, Thailand must consider feasibility studies, technology assessments, public engagement, and international cooperation to maximize long-term benefits. While nuclear energy is targeted for inclusion in Thailand’s energy mix by 2037, project construction must ideally begin by 2032, given the 3 - 4 year build timeline. For faster SMR deployment, Thailand could adopt a one-step licensing model. Before construction, however, Thailand must select the most suitable reactor design. While many SMR designs are under development, with some already undergoing pre-licensing or licensing processes with nuclear regulators, Thailand must carefully evaluate feasibility to select the most appropriate option for its national needs. Certainly, this nuclear program initiative will have a significant impact on meeting the country’s growing electricity demand and boosting its economic revenues. The expectation is that Thailand’s initial nuclear targets will continue to expand over the coming decades, supporting the realization of its carbon neutrality and net-zero emissions goals.
Thailand’s commitment demonstrates clear readiness to enter the nuclear era. This momentum will be reinforced at the 10th edition of the Asia Nuclear Business Platform (ANBP) 2025, to be held on December 9 - 11, 2025, in Jakarta, Indonesia. The event will serve as a vital forum bringing together policymakers, global stakeholders, and industry leaders to shape the next phase of ASEAN’s nuclear trajectory. With the National Energy Council of Indonesia (Dewan Energi Nasional, DEN) as the host, this forum will strengthen ASEAN’s commitment to a safe, sustainable, and regionally integrated energy future, while fostering regional cooperation in advancing nuclear energy programs.
