Energy policymakers plan to revamp power-purchase agreements (PPAs) with independent power producers (IPPs) and small power producers (SPPs) in a bid to manage excess electricity.
The idea to revamp PPAs came after a public hearing on a new power development plan (PDP) Tuesday, when representatives from businesses and non-governmental organisations admonished authorities for having an excess power supply and no appropriate plan to deal with it.
The costs of an excess power supply are likely to pass through to end-users eventually.
Under the new 2015 PDP, the country's electricity reserve this year stands at 25%.
The reserve is forecast at 35-36% from 2016-25, well above the international standard of 15-20%.
As a result, the additional electricity supply will be connected to the grid despite outstripping the demand side over the next 10 years.
Chavalit Pichalai, director-general of the Energy Policy and Planning Office, said the PPAs set goals for the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand to buy power from IPPs and SPPs on a fixed schedule.
But the weak economy from 2011-15 cut power demand to well below what was fixed in the PPAs, raising concerns about how the government will deal with surplus electricity.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) last year asked IPPs that are due to start up next year to postpone their operations, but all disagreed with the postponement plan.
"At this stage, there is no way to make them postpone their operation dates even though they all realise there will be an excess power supply connected to the grid," Mr Chavalit said.
In the latest bid to deal with excess power, the ERC plans to revamp purchasing contracts with private power producers, putting some postponement flexibility into the agreements.
The new postponement schedule includes power generated by the Wang Noi gas-fired power plant, the Chulabhorn hydropower plant and some SPPs.
Energy permanent secretary Areepong Bhoocha-oom said his ministry planned to meet with the Office of the Attorney-General about drafting new PPAs in order to ensure fairness in dealing with additional power supply.