Thailand considers private sector role in small modular reactor projects
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Thai authorities expected to finalize the 2026 Power Development Plan (PDP) by the end of the third quarter of 2026, which reportedly may allow private investors to develop and operate small modular reactors (SMRs). This move aimed to replace ageing fossil-fuel small power producers (SPPs) as Thailand pursued a net-zero emissions target by 2050 and faced difficulty renewing contracts for fossil-fuel plants due to global carbon trade rules like the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Unlike intermittent solar and wind energy, SMRs could provide steady electricity and high-temperature steam for industrial use with an availability factor exceeding 90%.
Consequences
If implemented, this shift could facilitate the integration of SMRs into existing industrial power infrastructure while reducing reliance on coal and natural gas. However, the lengthy development timeline for SMRs and the necessity of building public confidence in nuclear safety remain significant hurdles to this energy strategy.
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