IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i1p276-d1558959.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Prospects of Attaining Thailand’s Carbon Neutrality Target Through Carbon Capture and Storage by Public Power Utility

Author

Listed:
  • Waranya Thepsaskul

    (Program in Energy Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand)

  • Wongkot Wongsapai

    (Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
    Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council, Bangkok 10330, Thailand)

  • Tassawan Jaitiang

    (Multidisciplinary Research Institute, Chiangmai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand)

  • Panuwich Jaekhajad

    (Energy Technology for Environment Research Center, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand)

Abstract

Thailand has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, targeting the power generation sector, which contributes 35% of the country’s CO 2 emissions, as a critical area for intervention. This study explores the transition toward carbon neutrality in power generation, focusing on fossil-fuel-based plants, particularly lignite and natural gas, which remain central to Thailand’s electricity production. A key strategy adopted by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is “Sink Co-creation”, which includes the deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies in existing and future lignite power plants, leveraging favorable storage conditions. Additionally, natural gas power plants exhibit significant CCS potential through source–sink matching mechanisms. This study finds that the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions from fossil-fuel-based power plants could reach 17.07 MtCO 2 . Of this total, lignite power plants are projected to achieve a reduction of 3.79 MtCO 2 by 2036, while natural gas power plants are expected to contribute an additional 13.28 MtCO 2 in reductions by 2050. However, the realization of these reductions faces significant challenges, including the high costs associated with CCS implementation and limited investor interest, underscoring the critical need for sustained government support and policy incentives to facilitate progress toward carbon neutrality.

Suggested Citation

  • Waranya Thepsaskul & Wongkot Wongsapai & Tassawan Jaitiang & Panuwich Jaekhajad, 2025. "Prospects of Attaining Thailand’s Carbon Neutrality Target Through Carbon Capture and Storage by Public Power Utility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-21, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:1:p:276-:d:1558959
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/1/276/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/1/276/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Li, Yaowang & Yang, Xuxin & Du, Ershun & Liu, Yuliang & Zhang, Shixu & Yang, Chen & Zhang, Ning & Liu, Chang, 2024. "A review on carbon emission accounting approaches for the electricity power industry," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 359(C).
    2. Waranya Thepsaskul & Wongkot Wongsapai & Jirakom Sirisrisakulchai & Tassawan Jaitiang & Sopit Daroon & Varoon Raksakulkan & Phitsinee Muangjai & Chaichan Ritkrerkkrai & Pana Suttakul & Gengwit Wattaka, 2023. "Potential Business Models of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) for the Oil Refining Industry in Thailand," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-16, October.
    3. Feng Dong & Chang Qin & Xiaoyun Zhang & Xu Zhao & Yuling Pan & Yujin Gao & Jiao Zhu & Yangfan Li, 2021. "Towards Carbon Neutrality: The Impact of Renewable Energy Development on Carbon Emission Efficiency," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-23, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Shuguang Liu & Jiayi Wang & Yin Long, 2023. "Research into the Spatiotemporal Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Technological Innovation in China’s Natural Gas Industry from the Perspective of Energy Transition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-34, April.
    2. Aleksandr Kulikov & Pavel Ilyushin & Anton Loskutov & Konstantin Suslov & Sergey Filippov, 2022. "WSPRT Methods for Improving Power System Automation Devices in the Conditions of Distributed Generation Sources Operation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-20, November.
    3. Shi, Shouyuan & Yu, Tao & Lan, Chaofan & Pan, Zhenning, 2024. "Estimating the actual emission cost in an annual compliance cycle: Synergistic generation and carbon trading optimization for price-taking generation companies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 376(PA).
    4. Xi Zhao & Siqin Zhang & Najid Ahmad & Shuangguo Wang & Jiaxing Zhao, 2024. "Unlocking Sustainable Growth: The Transformative Impact of Green Finance on Industrial Carbon Emissions in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-21, September.
    5. Yong Cui & Jian Zheng & Wenying Wu & Kun Xu & Desen Ji & Tian Di, 2024. "Framework and Outlooks of Multi-Source–Grid–Load Coordinated Low-Carbon Operational Systems Considering Demand-Side Hierarchical Response," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-20, December.
    6. Nie, Song, 2024. "Does intellectual property rights protection matter for low-carbon transition? The role of institutional incentives," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    7. An, Yimeng & Dang, Yaoguo & Wang, Junjie & Zhou, Huimin & Mai, Son T., 2024. "Mixed-frequency data Sampling Grey system Model: Forecasting annual CO2 emissions in China with quarterly and monthly economic-energy indicators," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 370(C).
    8. Jun Shi & Xiang Cao & Zhi Chen, 2023. "Pathways for Integrating the Concept of Carbon Neutrality into the Talent Cultivation Process: A Case Study of Animal Production Programs in Chinese Agricultural Colleges and Universities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-10, November.
    9. Pavel Ilyushin & Sergey Filippov & Aleksandr Kulikov & Konstantin Suslov & Dmitriy Karamov, 2022. "Intelligent Control of the Energy Storage System for Reliable Operation of Gas-Fired Reciprocating Engine Plants in Systems of Power Supply to Industrial Facilities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-21, August.
    10. Tao, Nan & Wu, Tiantian & Yan, Guo, 2024. "To the test of economic recovery: The swings in energy resource prices," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    11. Hakan Alıcı & Beyza Nur Yiğit & Betül Menemencioğlu & Kübra Tümay Ateş & Özge Demirdelen & Tuğçe Demirdelen & Ziya Kıvanç, 2024. "Analysis of Carbon Footprint Including Process-Level Calculation and Its Influencing Factors of Process for Low-Carbon and Sustainable Textile Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-24, November.
    12. Shahriyar Mukhtarov & Fuzuli Aliyev & Javid Aliyev & Richard Ajayi, 2022. "Renewable Energy Consumption and Carbon Emissions: Evidence from an Oil-Rich Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    13. Aleksandr Kulikov & Pavel Ilyushin & Aleksandr Sevostyanov & Sergey Filippov & Konstantin Suslov, 2024. "Estimation of an Extent of Sinusoidal Voltage Waveform Distortion Using Parametric and Nonparametric Multiple-Hypothesis Sequential Testing in Devices for Automatic Control of Power Quality Indices," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-24, February.
    14. Zahra, Samia & Fatima, Syeda Noreen, 2024. "Do energy diversification and green growth transition help to achieve the target of carbon neutrality? Testing the validity of the EKC hypothesis under the prism of green growth," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 373(C).
    15. Ling, Chen & Yang, Qing & Wang, Qingrui & Bartocci, Pietro & Jiang, Lei & Xu, Zishuo & Wang, Luyao, 2024. "A comprehensive consumption-based carbon accounting framework for power system towards low-carbon transition," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    16. Israa Al Khaffaf & Adil Tamimi & Vian Ahmed, 2024. "Pathways to Carbon Neutrality: A Review of Strategies and Technologies Across Sectors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-38, December.
    17. Zhang, Peng & Li, Zeyun & Ghardallou, Wafa & Xin, Yan & Cao, Jie, 2023. "Nexus of institutional quality and technological innovation on renewable energy development: Moderating role of green finance," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 214(C), pages 233-241.
    18. Yizhang He & Wei Song, 2022. "Analysis of the Impact of Carbon Trading Policies on Carbon Emission and Carbon Emission Efficiency," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-20, August.
    19. Huang, Weiping & Das, Ghansham & Dilanchiev, Azer & Giyasova, Zeynab & Gu, Mangi, 2024. "Role of multiple energy sources under carbon neturality goals, income and energy consumption in transition economies: A joint case study between China and Uzbekistan," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    20. Getao Hu & Jun Yang & Jun Li, 2022. "The Dynamic Evolution of Global Energy Security and Geopolitical Games: 1995~2019," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-25, November.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:1:p:276-:d:1558959. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.