The National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to determine who should bear the cost of electricity for public street lighting, an expense currently shouldered solely by consumers, which contributes to rising household power bills.
An energy official who requested anonymity said the deliberation aims to revise the electricity pricing structure to ensure greater transparency and fairness.
The push is being led by Energy Minister Akanat Promphan, who has criticised the decades-old practice of including public lighting costs in consumer bills.
The official said the NEPC, chaired by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, must decide whether state agencies and the public should share this financial responsibility.
The roots of the issue date back to 1987, when the NEPC exempted state agencies such as the Department of Highways and local administrative bodies from paying for public lighting.
At the time, the cost was minimal, averaging 0.03 baht per unit. Today the rate has climbed to 0.1 baht per unit, adding noticeable pressure to household expenses, said the official.
The matter has largely been ignored for nearly four decades, until the government recently introduced measures to ease electricity costs amid an energy crisis linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Mr Akanat argued that local administrative organisations should contribute to public lighting expenses because they generate their own revenue and do not rely solely on government allocations.
While clarity is expected from the meeting, officials caution that changes to electricity bills may take time to implement.
The NEPC is also reviewing renewable energy purchase agreements between companies and state electricity agencies.
The government continues to buy renewable power at high prices even though the adder tariff granted for 10 years has expired. The extra cost is passed directly to consumers, driving up electricity bills.
The eight‑baht tariff was introduced to spur investment in solar and wind farms.
The official said the NEPC plans to examine why state agencies still pay inflated rates despite the tariff's expiry.
Industry sources note companies can still sell electricity at high prices because they benefit from a wholesale tariff of 3.78 baht per unit and the fuel tariff, both included in the final rate.
Another development under Energy Ministry consideration is the creation of a new electricity user category for data centres. These facilities, which operate around the clock and consume large amounts of electricity, are expected to be grouped under Category 9.
They would face higher tariffs reflecting actual infrastructure and fuel costs, with the additional revenue used to subsidise electricity prices for households and smaller businesses, according to Mr Akanat.
