• Thailand’s digital infrastructure, data center and advanced manufacturing growth are driving higher demand for reliable, resilient and cleaner power
• ABB highlights energy expansion and improved performance from existing systems must advance together to support long term industrial competitiveness
• ABB’s Automation Extended approach enables operators to introduce AI, analytics and digital capabilities progressively while keeping critical control systems stable, secure and continuously available
ABB's Energy Industries division engaged Verdantrix to produce an independent research about Energy Expansion and Transformation, examining how industries can improve the performance of existing assets while seamlessly integrating new energy sources. The findings point to a need for energy expansion and system transformation to advance together – an increasingly relevant consideration for Thailand as demand grows from emerging industries such as data centers, advanced electronics and other high-value manufacturing.
The timing is significant. Thailand’s investment momentum is making this increasingly relevant, with investment applications reaching a record THB 1.88 trillion in 2025, led by digital infrastructure and advanced industries. Sustaining this momentum will require not only new power generation, transmission and supporting infrastructure, but also better performance from the power and industrial assets already in operation.
“Thailand’s next phase of industrial growth will depend on two priorities, expanding energy capacity and strengthening the infrastructure already supporting the economy,” said Anders Maltesen, President of ABB’s Energy Industries division, Asia. “As AI, digital infrastructure, electrification and advanced manufacturing reshape demand, energy expansion and system transformation must go together. This is how Thailand can build a more resilient, flexible and competitive energy system for the decades to come.”
The shift is already visible in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), where transmission and transformer upgrades are underway to support Thailand’s next phase of digital and industrial growth. The Ministry of Energy has approved urgent investments to add power supply points and transformers totaling more than 1,150 megawatts as electricity demand in the EEC rises with the expansion of data centers. Thailand is also preparing its next Power Development Plan as it looks to strengthen energy security, accommodate future demand and integrate more renewable energy into the power system.
While new infrastructure remains critical, ABB’s research reinforces this opportunity, with 79 percent of respondents in its 2025 commercial and industrial energy transition survey saying that optimizing existing assets would have the greatest impact on operational decarbonization over the next five years. This reflects a performance-led pathway where efficiency, reliability and output gains can strengthen energy security and competitiveness while supporting lower-emissions growth.
For Thailand, this means treating capacity expansion and system optimization as connected priorities. Improving transmission efficiency, strengthening asset visibility and using automation and digital technologies to identify efficiency improvement can help operators meet changing demand while new projects are being developed. As energy systems become more connected and dynamic, resilience will also depend on managing renewable integration, cybersecurity and operational stability in parallel. In eastern Thailand, for example, better transmission efficiency in three areas has added 550 megawatts of power supply. This shows how improving existing systems can help meet demand while new projects are being built.
To help industry act on these priorities, ABB’s Automation Extended approach enables customers to introduce digital applications, including analytics and AI, alongside existing control systems without disrupting core operations. This allows customers to evolve at their own pace, protect existing automation investments and move towards more predictive, optimized and increasingly autonomous performance.
ABB’s is already supporting operators in Thailand through this approach. At IRPC, ABB’s software has improved steam and power operations, reducing pressure variability by up to fifty percent. At Mitr Phol Group, ABB’s automation and digital technologies have supported the development of a new sugar mill and biomass power plant helping strengthen operational performance in an energy-intensive industrial environment.
Thailand’s data center build-out offers a clear example of the multi-stakeholder coordination involved, spanning government, utilities and private-sector providers of power, water and digital infrastructure. By working with customers and partners across this ecosystem, ABB brings automation, electrification and digitalization expertise to support reliable integration, stronger asset performance and long-term operational resilience.
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ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com
ABB’s Automation business automates, electrifies and digitalizes industrial operations that address a wide range of essential needs – from supplying energy, water and materials, to producing goods and transporting them to market. With its ~26,000 employees, leading technology and service expertise, Automation helps process, hybrid and maritime industries outrun – leaner and cleaner. go.abb/automation
Media contact:
Maruli Ferdinand
Marketing and Communications Manager for Thailand
Maruli.ferdinand@id.abb.com
