Thailand's energy companies are moving aggressively into the digital technology tier, positioning themselves as key players in the country's emerging data centre and semiconductor industries.
By offering land, electricity and equipment, these firms are courting foreign investors eager to relocate production facilities or expand operations in Thailand.
Electricity Generating Plc (Egco) is among the frontrunners, with chief financial officer Somkiat Suttiwanich noting the company plans to repurpose land in Rayong, previously home to a decommissioned gas-fired power plant, for data centre operators.
While details of the size of the land or the number of potential users remain undisclosed, Mr Somkiat emphasised Egco's ambition to supply clean electricity to data centres, which are notorious for their massive energy consumption.
This initiative aligns with the government's pilot programme for direct power purchase agreements (PPAs), which allows power producers to sell electricity directly to data centres, bypassing restrictions on peer-to-peer energy trading.
The move is expected to accelerate Thailand's transition towards renewable energy while supporting the growth of its digital economy.
Gunkul Engineering Plc, a clean energy developer, is also preparing to court this sector.
Chief executive Naruechon Dhumrongpiyawut said the company is interested in serving data centres, cloud services and semiconductor factories, all of which demand reliable clean energy.
Gunkul plans to offer renewable power supply, construction services and electrical equipment.
Ms Naruechon said demand under the direct PPA scheme could exceed the current quota of 2 gigawatts, as interest from factories, shopping malls and other businesses continues to rise.
Economic research suggests Thailand's digital economy could double or even triple electricity demand within 5-10 years, making renewable energy a sunrise sector, she said.
The government's plan to allocate 200 billion baht to support clean energy adoption, particularly solar power, represents a business opportunity, said Ms Naruechon.
Authorities are encouraging households to install rooftop solar panels, reducing reliance on the national grid, which is still heavily dependent on gas-fired plants.
Climate change concerns are also driving momentum. She stressed that emissions reduction goals will push Thailand towards rapid renewable energy growth, ensuring the country's digital transformation is powered by sustainable sources.
