The Energy Ministry has warned that if nuclear power is not an option, the public will face higher electricity rates, due to the high price of liquefied natural gas.

Nokhun Sitthipong, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Chair of the Power Development Planning Subcommittee said that the Ministry was studying a backup plan for electricity-generating fuels.  

If nuclear power plants cannot be built, the alternative fuel will likely be imported LNG.  This will increase electricity rates, as the price of the LNG tends to increase in line with the global market price of petroleum.

According to the 2010 Power Development Plan, nuclear power is planned to supply up to 10% of the total generating capacity, or 5,000 MW in the next 20 years.

The first nuclear power plant with a capacity of 1,000 MW is scheduled to come online in 2020.

If NLG is to be used instead, the Ministry will have to consult with the NLG-importing Petroleum Authority of Thailand as to whether it can provide sufficient supply, Nokhun said.

Thanakorn Phulthawee, Deputy Governor of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, said that new supplies for the next 20 years, according to the 2010 PDP, will include 4,617 MW from renewables, 7,137 MW from co-generation, 16,000 MW from combined cycle, 512 MW from hydropower, 11,600 MW imported from neighbouring countries, 5,000 MW from nuclear power and 8,400 MW from coal.