Hydrogen is key to Thailand's 2050 Net Zero goal, according to Atthapol
Auttapol indicates that Hydrogen technology is country's opportunity to meet the Net Zero target by 2050, and it will be included in Power Development Plan (PDP).
- Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon has identified hydrogen as a crucial alternative fuel to help Thailand achieve its accelerated Net Zero emissions goal by 2050.
- Draft national energy plans set specific targets, including blending 5% hydrogen with natural gas for power generation by 2030 and its use in industrial and transport sectors by 2037.
- The government is supporting the hydrogen transition by establishing legal frameworks, investing in infrastructure, and providing financial and tax incentives for the private sector.
- The long-term strategy aims to position Thailand as a Green Hydrogen Hub in the ASEAN region, creating new economic opportunities while transitioning to a low-carbon society.
Auttapol Rerkpiboon, Minister of Energy, delivered a special lecture titled "Hydrogen: Economic Opportunity and Survival for Thailand" at a seminar organised by the Senate Energy Commission on October 24, 2025, in the B1-2 Meeting Room, B1 Floor, The Parliament Building.
He stated that "Hydrogen" is a crucial key to driving the economy and an important alternative fuel amid global pressures, including security concerns, volatile energy economics, and the worldwide push towards Net Zero Emissions.
The Ministry of Energy highlighted the challenges Thailand faces, especially adapting to the global trend towards Net Zero, which requires Thailand to accelerate its Net Zero goal from the original 2065 to 2050.
The Ministry of Energy has therefore established three primary strategies: Energy Security, Economic Drive (through appropriate pricing), and Sustainability (promoting low-carbon energy).
This includes promoting a low-carbon society by encouraging the use of new forms of clean energy, such as Hydrogen and Ammonia, and SMRs (Small Modular Reactors), alongside improving energy efficiency.
Regarding the potential of hydrogen, Thailand has high opportunities in Southeast Asia, particularly in energy-intensive industrial sectors. Furthermore, the draft National Energy Plan clearly sets goals for promoting the use of hydrogen.
The draft Power Development Plan (PDP) targets blending hydrogen with natural gas at an initial rate of 5% for electricity generation, starting in 2030.
Simultaneously, the draft Alternative Energy Development Plan (AEDP) aims to utilise thermal hydrogen in the industrial sector at 10 KTOE and in the transport sector at 4 KTOE by 2037 to achieve these goals.
The Ministry of Energy is currently in the process of announcing hydrogen and ammonia as fuels under the Fuel Control Act 1999.
It will also establish clear mechanisms and support measures, such as investing in infrastructure for hydrogen production and transport, as well as providing financial support and tax benefits for the private sector.
Auttapol concluded that "Hydrogen" is both an alternative energy source and an opportunity to create new businesses for the country, adding economic value and creating sustainability.
Driving this systematically, with the strategic goal of becoming a Green Hydrogen Hub in ASEAN and building international cooperation, will enable Thailand to transition toward a stable and equitable low-carbon society.
