Thailand Hits Record High in Electricity Consumption: 2024 Peak Surpasses 8-Year Record with 10 Spikes

Hot beyond peak again Thailand recorded its third highest electricity use on the evening of April 29, 2024 at 9:00 p.m. The peak amount rose to 36,699 megawatts and is also considered the 10th round of electricity peaks to occur in 2024, which The highest in the past 8 years since 2016, when there used to be the highest number of peaks 7 times amid a maximum temperature of 44 degrees. There is a chance that there will be an electrical peak on April 30, 2024 again if there is no rain to help. The Ministry of Energy closely monitors power reserves. Confirm that electricity is sufficient. Electricity reserve remaining up to 25.8 % .  

Reporters from the Energy News Center (ENC) report that electricity consumption in Thailand has hit an all-time high again. The Energy Regulatory Commission Office (ERC Office) has reported the total amount of electricity usage in Thailand from 3 electricity utilities (Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand or EGAT, Provincial Electricity Authority or PEA and Metropolitan Electricity Authority or ก. On April 29, 2024, it was found that in the evening at 9:00 p.m., Thai people used electricity at the highest level, setting a new record for Thailand at 36,699 megawatts, which is considered the highest (peak) electricity use in history. 3rd time in 2024.

This is because Thailand is in the El Niño phenomenon. Resulting in heat accumulation throughout the country. In some areas, the temperature rose as high as 44 degrees Celsius, causing air conditioners to work harder and to use more electrical appliances to relieve heat. As a result, the amount of electricity used was so high that it broke the country's electricity peak record for the third time. However, the Meteorological Department also reported that Thailand still faces the hottest weather on April 30, 2024, another day before the weather gradually subsides. Adjusted to the La Niña phenomenon that will have more rain. Therefore, there is a chance that Thailand will have the highest electricity peak again.

However, when following the overall picture of electricity use since the beginning of 2024, it will be found that there have been 10 specific electricity peaks in 2024, with 3 times being considered the highest electricity peaks in Thailand's history as follows:

The first time on February 22, 2024 at 7:24 p.m., the peak power was 30,989.3 megawatts.

The second time on March 7, 2024 at 7:47 p.m., the peak power was 32,704 megawatts.

The third time on April 1, 2024 at 9:00 p.m., the peak power was 33,340 megawatts.

The 4th time on April 2, 2024 at 8:51 p.m., the peak power was 33,827.1 megawatts.

The 5th time on April 4, 2024 at 9:00 p.m., the peak power was 34,196.5 megawatts.

6th time on April 5, 2024 at 10:22 p.m., peak power was 34,277.4 megawatts.

The 7th time on April 6, 2024 at 8:54 p.m., the peak power was 34,656.4 megawatts.

The 8th time on April 22, 2024 at 8:58 p.m., the peak power was 35,830 megawatts (the highest on record for the first time).

9th time on April 27, 2024 at 8:57 p.m., the peak power was 36,356.1 megawatts (2nd highest record)

The 10th time on April 29, 2024 at 9:00 p.m., the peak power was 36,699.9 megawatts (3rd highest on record).

In addition to this being the third highest recorded electrical peak in Thailand, it is also the 10th electrical peak occurring only in 2024. The number of such electrical peaks is the highest recorded in the past 8 years from the year. 2016, which had the highest number of peaks 7 times, had the highest electricity use at 29,618 megawatts.

For the statistics of monthly electricity consumption in Thailand from January - April 2024, there is a trend of continuing to increase as follows.

In January 2024, an electricity peak occurred on January 11, 2024 at 6:52 p.m. Total electricity use was 29,051.3 megawatts.

In February 2024, there was an electricity peak that occurred on February 22, 2024 at 7:29 p.m. Total electricity use was 30,989.3 megawatts.

In March 2024, there was an electrical peak that occurred on March 7, 2024 at 7:47 p.m. Total electricity use was 32,704 megawatts.

In April 2024, there was an electrical peak that occurred on 29 April 2024 at 9:00 p.m. The electrical peak was 36,699.9 megawatts.

Mr. Weerapat Kiatfuengfu Director of the Energy Policy and Planning Office (NPPO) and as a spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy said that from the extremely hot weather conditions As a result, Thailand's highest electricity demand is 36,699.9 megawatts on April 29, 2024 at 9:00 p.m., which is the highest in the history of electricity consumption in Thailand. It can be seen that the peak occurs during the night. This is the period when the solar power plant or Solar Cell is unable to produce electricity to help support the demand for electricity in the system.

The number of reserve power generation capacity (Reserve Margin) is calculated from the power production capacity that is actually expected to be produced by each type of power plant during the period of highest electricity demand (peak) compared to the demand. Maximum electricity It was found that Thailand still has reserve electricity generation capacity of approximately 25.8%, a decrease from the past year 2023 (with the highest electricity demand being 34,826.5 megawatts in May 2023, which is considered to be a reserve production capacity of approximately 30.9%) However, the Ministry of Energy will closely monitor the country's electricity use and electricity reserves. To prepare for energy emergency situations that may occur in the future.