WHAUP plans to expand renewables business

Business General WHAUP plans to expand renewables business PUBLISHED : 10 Nov 2026 at 04:26 NEWSPAPER SECTION: Business WRITER: Yuthana Praiwan Listen Small Medium Large Share Facebook Reddit Copy Link WHA Utilities and Power Plc (WHAUP), the utility and power arm of industrial developer WHA Corp, plans to expand its renewable energy business in line with the new Power Development Plan (PDP), which is expected to accelerate the country's transition to clean energy. The government aims to increase the share of renewable energy in Thailand's power generation mix to 50% during the first decade of the PDP, which is scheduled to run from 2026 to 2050. In response, WHAUP is positioning its utility and clean energy solutions to support industrial customers, business partners and communities in moving towards a low-carbon future. The company's solar energy solutions are expected to be among its key growth drivers as Thailand steps up its adoption of renewable energy. Akarin Prathuangsit, chief executive of WHAUP, said the company recently began commercial operations of two solar power projects with a combined capacity of 14 megawatts (MW) for Auto Alliance (Thailand) at the Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate in Rayong. The projects comprise a 6MW rooftop solar installation and an 8MW floating solar system. Together, they are expected to supply about 25% of the automaker's electricity demand while reducing both carbon emissions and energy costs, he said. Auto Alliance (Thailand), a joint venture between Mazda and Ford, currently sources around 25% of its electricity from renewable energy and has announced a target of achieving 100% renewable energy use by 2035. Mr Akarin said further opportunities could emerge if regulations were amended to allow the sale of surplus electricity across industrial estates. WHAUP also welcomed the government's plan to introduce a pilot direct power purchase agreement (PPA) scheme under the 2026 PDP. The scheme would enable power producers to sell renewable electricity directly to industrial customers. At present, peer-to-peer electricity trading remains prohibited in Thailand. The proposed direct PPA programme is intended to broaden access to clean energy and support the government's goal of accelerating decarbonisation across sectors. Alongside its renewable energy business, WHAUP continues to expand its industrial water operations, which remain in strong demand. The company is investing in advanced water reclamation facilities to support circular economy principles and strengthen resource security in the Eastern Economic Corridor. By recycling industrial wastewater into treated water for reuse, WHAUP helps manufacturers reduce their environmental impact while lowering operating costs. In 2026, the company aims to sell up to 170 million cubic metres of water to industrial customers. KEYWORDS Whaup Renewable energy thailand Solar power projects Direct power purchase agreement Industrial water operations Eastern economic corridor Decarbonisation COMMENT