The Transition from Conventional Energy to the Photovoltaic Systems and its Struggle under the Dominant Electricity Regime in Thailand
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Published
Jun 5, 2020
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Abstract
Electricity in Thailand has been heavily dependent on fossil-based fuels, and centrally controlled by the government and associated technocrats. Global issues, such as Cold War, oil and financial crises, along with environmental concerns, have considerably affected the dominant electricity regime of Thailand and driven it towards seeking renewable sources of energy for electricity generation. Photovoltaics, despite its high potential as a sustainable source of electricity, however, remains a supplementary production in the existing electricity regime, not the future electricity transition. In this study, archival data, interviews, and case studies had been analyzed and it was found that the photovoltaic systems in Thailand accounted for only 2.6% of the nation’s total capacity in 2014 while the number is expected to rise to only 8.5% in 2036. Using the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) concept from the system innovation transition theory, this study explained why photovoltaics cannot be developed into a dominant source of electricity in Thailand. This study also discovered that the development of photovoltaics at the niche level the electricity regime’s existing governance, technology, centralized production and distribution, supply and demand chains of commercial appliances, and culture of the electricity users are not supportive of the photovoltaic systems. Therefore, without significant technological breakthrough and sincere commitment to energy reforms, the photovoltaic systems will continue to struggle and cannot become a major element of the future electricity transition in Thailand.
Keywords: Multi-Level Perspective, Landscape change, Thai electricity regime, Photovoltaics
References
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Kaunmuang, P., Kirtikara, K., Songprakorb, R., Thepa, S., & Suwannakum, T. (2001). Assessment of photovoltaic pumping systems in Thailand-one decade experience. Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 67, 529-534. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com
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Kirtikara, K. (1997). Photovoltaic applications in Thailand: twenty years of planning and experience. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 47, 55-62. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com
Kirtikara, K. (2004). Lessons learnt from using PV stand-alone systems to provide a better quality of life for rural people. Proceeding of Technical Digest of the International PVSEC-14, Bangkok, Thailand. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228459567_Lessons_learnt_from_using_PV_standalone
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MoEn. (2014). Photovoltaic status report (2012-2013). Thailand: Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency. Retrieved from http://www.eri.chula.ac.th/eri-main/wp-content/uploads/
2015/09/PV-Status-Report-2012_2013.compressed.pdf
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MoEN (2016). Energy Statistics. Thailand: Energy Policy and Planning Office, Ministry of Energy. Retrieved from http://www.eppo.go.th/info/5electricity_stat.htm
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Pasuk, P., & Baker, C. (2004). Thaksin: The business of politics in Thailand. Chiang Mai: Silkworn Books.
Padmanabha, U. (1983). The United States of America and Thai economic policy (1960-1970). Department of International Relations, Graduate school, Chulalongkorn University.
Quang Cu Tran. (2013). ASEN Guideline on Off-grid Rural Electrification Approaches. ASEN Centre for Energy. Retrieved from https://sun-connect-news.org/fileadmin/DATEIEN/Dateien/New/ASEAN_Guideline_on_
Off-grid_Rural_Electrification_Final.pdf
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Rip%20and%20Kemp.pdf
Sirasoontorn, P. (2004). Privatisation, restructuring and regulation: electricity supply industry in Thailand. Australia: The Australian National University.
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Wiser, R. (2008). Global Photovoltaic Market Trend Analysis: Implications of the Financial Crisis. Consultants to the Center for Resource Solutions, Electricity Markets and Policy Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Retrieved from http://www.efchina.org/Reports-en/reports-efchina-20090219-1-en
DEDE. (2014). Annual report 2014. Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency, Ministry of Energy: Thailand.
Dulin, A., Franko, C., Heun, C., & Masterson, S. (2008). Voices from the margin: Rasi Salai Dam. ESCR Mobilization Project, Committee of the Mun River Wetlands Conservation Network, Peace and Human Rights Center of Northeast Thailand. Retrieved from www.internationalrivers.org/sites/default/files/
attached-files/rasi_salai_report_ciee_english_smallfile.pdf
Eley, R., Grant, T., Kulinlina, A., & Sanseverino, A. (2008). Two sides to every story: a case of environmental communication in Mae Moh, Thailand. Retrieved from https://web.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-project/Available/E-project-030908-163940/unrestricted/MaeMoh-Thailand-C08.pdf
Elzen, B., & Wieczorek, A. (2005). Introduction transitions towards sustainability through system innovation. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 72(6), 651-661. Retrieved from http://www.science
direct.com
EGAT (2018). Electricity Generation Authority of Thailand. System Installed Generating Capacity. Retrieved from https://www.egat.co.th/en/information/statistical-data?view=article&id=80
EPPO (2017). Energy Policy and Planning Office. Ministry of energy (2017) Table 5.2-2: Power Generation Classified by Fuel Type. Retrieved from http://www.eppo.go.th/index.php/th/energy-information/static-energy/static-electricity?orders[publishUp]=publishUp&issearch=1
Feldman, D., Barbose, G., Margolis, R., Wiser, R., Darghouth, N., & Goodrich, A (2012). Photovoltaic (PV) Pricing trends: historical, recent, and near-term projections. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/
publication/236425911_Photovoltaic_PV_Pricing_Trends_Historical_Recent_and_Near-Term_Projections
Forsyth, T. (2007). Are environmental social movements socially exclusive? a historical study from Thailand. World Development, 35(12), 2110-2130. https:// DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2007.01.005
Geels, F. W. (2002). Technological transitions as evolutionary reconfiguration processes: a multi-level perspective and a case-study. Research Policy, 32, 1257–1274. Retrieved from http://www.science
direct.com
Geels, F. W. (2004). From sectoral systems of innovation to socio-technical systems Insights about dynamics and change from sociology and institutional theory, Research Policy, 33, 897–920. Retrieved from http://
www.sciencedirect.com
Geels, F. W. (2005a). The dynamic of transition in socio-technical system: a multi - level analysis of transition pathway from horse-drawn carriage to automobile (1860-1930). Technological Analysis & Strategic Management, 17(4), 445-476. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com
Geels, F. W. (2005b). Processes and patterns in transitions and system innovations: Refining the co-evolutionary multi-level perspective, Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 72, 681–696. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com
Geels, F. W., & Schot, J. (2007). Typology of sociotechnical transition pathways. Research Policy, 36(3), 399-417. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com
GIZ. (2013) Thailand implements photovoltaic support programme and increases renewable energy targets. Retrieved from http://weben.dede.go.th/webmax/content/thailand-implements-photovoltaic-support-programme-and-increases-renewable-energy-targets
GIZ. (2015). Thailand Solar PV Policy Update. Retrieved from http://www.thai-german-cooperation.info/
admin/uploads/publication/373753e644b0343571c0a12d43a8fc1fen.pdf
Green, D. (2004). Thailand’s solar white elephants: an analysis of 15 yr of solar battery charging programmes in northern Thailand. Energy Policy, 32, 747-760. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com
Greenpeace. (2015). Krabi at the crossroads: dirty coal vs. clean renewable energy. Retrieved from http://www.
greenpeace.org/seasia/th/press/reports/Krabi-at-the-Crossroads
HPEA. (2015). History of provincial electricity authority. Retrieved from http://www.pea.co.th/introduction
/Pages/Introduction_014.aspx
IEA (2015). World energy outlook 2015. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/Textbase/npsum/WEO2015
SUM.pdf
Jochen, M., & Bernhard, T. (2008). Technological innovation systems and the multi-level perspective: Towards an integrated framework, Research Policy, 37, 596–615. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com
Kaunmuang, P., Kirtikara, K., Songprakorb, R., Thepa, S., & Suwannakum, T. (2001). Assessment of photovoltaic pumping systems in Thailand-one decade experience. Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 67, 529-534. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com
Kaunmuang, P. (2006) Growth of Photovoltaic Industry and Market in Thailand -A Case Study of Solartron PCL. Paper present at International Conference Record of the 2006. IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion. 7 – 12 May 2006, (pp 2540-2543). Waikoloa, Hawaii: USA.
Kirtikara, K. (1997). Photovoltaic applications in Thailand: twenty years of planning and experience. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 47, 55-62. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com
Kirtikara, K. (2004). Lessons learnt from using PV stand-alone systems to provide a better quality of life for rural people. Proceeding of Technical Digest of the International PVSEC-14, Bangkok, Thailand. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228459567_Lessons_learnt_from_using_PV_standalone
_systems_to_provide_a_better_quality_of_life_for_rural_people
Langculanon, S. (2009). The Development and Political Role of Political Business Group in Thailand. Public Administration, National Institute of Development Administration, Bangkok: Thailand.
MoEn. (2014). Photovoltaic status report (2012-2013). Thailand: Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency. Retrieved from http://www.eri.chula.ac.th/eri-main/wp-content/uploads/
2015/09/PV-Status-Report-2012_2013.compressed.pdf
MoEN (2015). Thailand Power Development Plan 2015-2036. Thailand: Ministry of Energy. Retrieved from https://www.egat.co.th/en/images/about-egat/PDP2015_Eng.pdf
MoEN (2016). Energy Statistics. Thailand: Energy Policy and Planning Office, Ministry of Energy. Retrieved from http://www.eppo.go.th/info/5electricity_stat.htm
NESDP. (1977). National Economic and Social Development Plan (4th Ed.). Thailand: Office of the National Economic and Social Board. Retrieved from https://www.nesdb.go.th/nesdb_en/ewt_dl_link.php?
nid=3779
Nykvist, B., & Whitmarsh, L. (2008) A multi-level analysis of sustainable mobility transitions: Niche development in the UK and Sweden, Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 75, 1373–1387. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com
Pasuk, P., & Baker, C. (2004). Thaksin: The business of politics in Thailand. Chiang Mai: Silkworn Books.
Padmanabha, U. (1983). The United States of America and Thai economic policy (1960-1970). Department of International Relations, Graduate school, Chulalongkorn University.
Quang Cu Tran. (2013). ASEN Guideline on Off-grid Rural Electrification Approaches. ASEN Centre for Energy. Retrieved from https://sun-connect-news.org/fileadmin/DATEIEN/Dateien/New/ASEAN_Guideline_on_
Off-grid_Rural_Electrification_Final.pdf
Rip, A., & Kemp, R. (1998). Technological change. In: S. Rayner & E. L. Malone (Eds.). Human Choice and Climate Change (pp. 327-399). Columbus: Batelle Press. Retrieved from http://kemp.unu-merit.nl/
Rip%20and%20Kemp.pdf
Sirasoontorn, P. (2004). Privatisation, restructuring and regulation: electricity supply industry in Thailand. Australia: The Australian National University.
Thanarak, P., Schmid, J., Wattanapong, R., Chaowakul, M., & Yammen, S. (2006). Economic evaluation of photovoltaic systems for rural electrification in Thailand. International Journal of Renewable Energy, 1(2), 45-54. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Suchart_Yammen/publication/266868234_
Economic_Evaluation_of_Photovoltaic_Systems_for_Rural_Electrification_in_Thailand/links/549366370cf22d7925da3019/Economic-Evaluation-of-Photovoltaic-Systems-for-Rural-Electrification-in-Thailand.pdf
Tongsopit, S. (2015) Lessons learned from Thailand’s solar PV roadmap initiative. Retrieved from http://thaiso
larpvroadmap.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/01-Lessons Learned-from-PV-Roadmap-Initiative-2.compressed.pdf
Verbong, G., & Geels, F. W. (2007). The ongoing energy transition: lessons from a socio-technical, multi-level analysis of the Dutch electricity system (1960-2004). Energy Policy, 35(2), 1025-1037. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com
Wiser, R. (2008). Global Photovoltaic Market Trend Analysis: Implications of the Financial Crisis. Consultants to the Center for Resource Solutions, Electricity Markets and Policy Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Retrieved from http://www.efchina.org/Reports-en/reports-efchina-20090219-1-en
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How to Cite
KRAJANGTHIMAPORN, Eakanat.
The Transition from Conventional Energy to the Photovoltaic Systems and its Struggle under the Dominant Electricity Regime in Thailand.
Naresuan University Journal: Science and Technology (NUJST), [S.l.], v. 28, n. 3, p. 20-38, june 2020.
ISSN 2539-553X.
Available at: <https://www.journal.nu.ac.th/NUJST/article/view/Vol-28-No-3-2020-20-38>. Date accessed: 26 apr. 2024.
doi: https://doi.org/10.14456/nujst.2020.23.