Bangkok: Banpu Public Company Limited has announced a significant investment of 105 billion baht aimed at boosting its gas and electricity generation capabilities, particularly to support its data center business in the United States. The strategic investment plan, set to run until 2030, marks a new direction for the company as it strives to become a leader in designing and integrating energy systems.
According to Thai News Agency, Banpu's new strategy follows its merger with BPP, positioning the company to comprehensively cover the energy value chain from upstream to downstream. The investment will focus on expanding Banpu's natural gas business in the US, developing renewable energy projects, and enhancing energy storage systems. Additionally, Banpu plans to engage in negotiations for power purchase agreements (PPAs) with hyperscalers to meet the power demands of US data centers.
Mr. Sinon Vongkusolkit, CEO of Banpu, highlighted the company's transition into a phase of robust growth, emphasizing its commitment to responsibly expanding global energy capacity under its Energy Symphonic strategy. The strategy is organized into four main business groups, including the US Closed-Loop Gas business group, which aims to boost gas production and utilize carbon capture technology to sequester significant carbon emissions.
Banpu is also extending its reach beyond coal, exploring strategic minerals like nickel and bauxite, which are essential for future energy technologies. Its Power+ group is focused on delivering flexible energy solutions through projects such as Megamouth in the US and Wooreen in Australia. Meanwhile, the Future Tech business group is investing in clean energy retail and AI-driven computing infrastructure.
The investment of US$3 billion, or approximately 105 billion baht, will be distributed with 60% directed towards the natural gas sector and the remaining 40% towards power generation, next-gen mining, and future technologies. Currently, a substantial portion of Banpu's revenue is generated from international operations, with plans to increase the contribution from gas and power to over 50% of its total portfolio by 2030.
Banpu's negotiations for long-term PPAs with large-scale digital infrastructure providers aim to secure power for data centers in the US, including projects in Texas. These agreements are expected to be finalized by the end of this year or early next year, with hyperscale clients typically requiring power in excess of 100 megawatts.
In Thailand, Banpu is set to contribute to the country's Power Development Plan through its expertise in natural gas and clean energy, including the exploration of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology. Mr. Vongkusolkit's participation in Gastech 2026 underscores Banpu's commitment to showcasing Thailand's strengths in natural gas technology and fostering international collaborations. The company's investments abroad are seen as vital for ensuring energy security as Thailand remains a major gas importer.