• Reason for Incorporating Nuclear Energy: Thailand aims to combat climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels by incorporating nuclear energy, targeting 50% renewable energy production by 2040. The revised Power Development Plan focuses on clean energy, including the adoption of small modular reactors (SMRs) to achieve these goals.
• Switching to Nuclear Energy: Despite previous setbacks due to the Fukushima incident, the emergence of SMR technology has renewed interest in nuclear energy. Thailand, in collaboration with Danish company Seaborg Technologies, plans to develop SMRs using molten salt as a coolant, providing a clean and reliable energy source.
• Impact and Goals: The development of SMRs is vital for addressing the climate crisis, diminishing natural gas reserves, and meeting Thailand’s growing energy needs. This initiative will help diversify the energy mix, support clean energy goals, and potentially influence other countries to explore nuclear energy solutions.

With the diminishing reserve of natural gas and the growing concern of the climate crises, Thailand looks to diversify their energy mix through nuclear energy. Through collaboration with the Danish company Seaborg, Thailand can start their nuclear energy journey with SMRs. However, introducing nuclear energy to the country is not so easy as many are still unfamiliar with this safe and sustainable energy source. By diversifying the energy mix with nuclear power, Thailand can support their growing energy needs as well as contribute to combating climate change.

Why are they incorporating nuclear energy?

Thailand’s decision to incorporate nuclear energy is backed by their strong ambition to battle climate change. The country aims “to have 50% of energy production to be renewable by 2040” as stated by the Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin. Currently, Thailand produces 60-70% of electricity from natural gas with coal producing approximately 20% and the remainder are renewable energy sources. Thailand’s revised Power Development Plan (PDP) will be finalized this coming September and spans from 2024 to 2037. This plan focuses on utilizing more clean energy while also utilizing nuclear energy by adopting small modular reactors, or SMRs. The heavy reliance on fossil fuels for electricity is not sustainable as the country continues to grow and the incorporation of nuclear energy is a necessity for the country to reach their clean energy goals.

How are they Switching to Nuclear Energy?

Nuclear Energy could have been used in Thailand as early as 2020, however, due to Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant incident, the country averted from continuation of the project. Despite the discontinuation of the project, the emergence of SMR technology has made nuclear energy more attractive and a plausible source of clean energy. Through collaboration with Danish company Seaborg Technologies, Thailand will be able to research and develop SMRs that work best for them. Seaborg’s SMR uses molten salt as a coolant and can be installed on a boat to provide a clean and reliable source of energy. The development of SMR technology in Thailand will not only display their ambition towards a greener future but will also showcase the future of nuclear energy.

The development of SMRs is crucial to battle the climate crisis and diminishing natural gas reserves alongside the growing energy needs of Thailand. As the country relies mainly on coal to produce their energy, their PDP emphasizes the need to diversify the energy mix with the introduction of nuclear energy. With the assistance of Seaborg Technologies, Thailand’s research and development in SMRs can push the country forwards in their clean energy goals. Considering that Thailand has never used nuclear energy before, this is a great example to showcase the capabilities of clean energy innovation and can hopefully influence other countries and investors to explore nuclear energy.