Energy sector scenario for low carbon society in Thailand towards 2050

During 1990 – 2007, Thailand's CO2 emission from energy sector increased substantially by 190%, as compared to world average growth of 40% for the same period. To curb CO2 emission, it is of vital importance to understand the impact of energy supply and consumption on emission under different scenarios. This study investigates the abatement options and its associated greenhouse gas under three scenarios in Thailand over a 40-year period (2011–2050). These include Frozen Technology (FT), Official Plan (OP) and Climate Plan (CP) scenarios. FT scenario represents the energy pathway with penetration of existing technologies. OP scenario relies on selected official policy planning e.g. Power Development Plan (PDP 2010). CP scenario comprises various abatement options in energy supply, commercial and residential as well as industrial sectors. The Long range Energy Alternatives Planning Systems (LEAPs) program is used as a tool for constructing the scenarios. The results show that CP scenario offers a more attractive pathway for fulfilling Thailand's GHG mitigation commitments.