A comparative analysis of government-led and private microgrid systems in Thailand
Project overview: Expanding reliable electricity access to remote communities remains challenging, often necessitating decentralized solutions like microgrids over costly grid extensions. While microgrid research heavily emphasizes technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness, the socio-institutional conditions shaping long-term system viability remain underexamined. In Thailand, remote communities—particularly in mountainous and island areas—continue to rely on decentralized energy solutions implemented through different approaches; however, there is limited understanding of how implementation approaches influence the outcomes and long-term sustainability of a microgrid system. To address this gap, this study presents a qualitative comparative analysis of two rural microgrid cases in Thailand: a government-led system and a private model.
Key findings:
The government-led system benefits from robust initial public investment and policy support, yet faces long-term operational hurdles, including limited revenue generation, constrained technical capacity, and administrative turnover.
The private-community model demonstrates greater operational continuity, driven by adaptive financial arrangements, sustained maintenance commitments, and participatory governance involving residents in system management
Ultimately, the comparison provides valuable insights to inform broader rural electrification strategies in geographically constrained communities worldwide.
Lead EMBERlab Researcher: Chatchai (Got) Karuna
Funding: University of Michigan Student Thai Grant