PEA/MEA Electricity Tariff 2026 Edition
Understand your electricity bill structure — what is TOU, how Ft affects you, and why solar saves so much
PEA vs MEA — What's the Difference?
Thailand has 2 main electricity distribution authorities covering different areas. Who you pay depends on where your business is located.
MEA — Metropolitan Electricity Authority
Service area: Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan (only 3 provinces)
PEA — Provincial Electricity Authority
Service area: The remaining 74 provinces nationwide
Tariff rates from both authorities are very similar, but there may be slight differences in monthly service charges and Ft rate adjustments, which may not be synchronized.
TOU — Time of Use Tariff
TOU (Time of Use) is an electricity pricing system that charges different rates depending on the time of day. Like phone calls that cost more during business hours — On-Peak periods are more expensive than Off-Peak.
09:00 - 22:00 Mon-Fri
~5.1 THB/kWh
22:00 - 09:00 + Weekends/Holidays
~2.6 THB/kWh
Peak Solar Generation
Solar panels generate power during daytime, which perfectly matches On-Peak hours! Every kWh produced replaces the most expensive electricity.
Why Should Factories Use TOU?
For factories using lots of daytime power, switching to TOU combined with solar maximizes savings — solar produces power exactly when electricity is most expensive.
Ft — The Fluctuating Fuel Charge
Ft (Float time) is an additional charge reflecting fuel costs for electricity generation. Simply put, when natural gas or oil prices rise, Ft increases, pushing your total electricity bill higher.
Ft is adjusted every 4 months by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). During 2022-2024, Ft surged dramatically due to the global energy crisis, causing factory electricity bills to increase 20-40% compared to pre-crisis levels.
How Does Solar Protect Against Ft?
Solar electricity has zero Ft because it uses no fuel. The higher Ft goes, the more you save — every solar kWh replaces grid power that includes expensive Ft charges.
What Makes Up Your Electricity Bill?
Demand Charge
~10-15%Based on your peak 15-minute power demand (kW) multiplied by the demand rate — higher peaks mean higher charges
Energy Charge
~50-60%Based on actual kWh consumed multiplied by the energy rate (TOU or Normal) — the largest portion of your bill
Ft Charge (Fuel)
~15-25%Variable fuel cost adjusted every 4 months — uncontrollable, but solar reduces its impact
Service Fee + 7% VAT
~10-15%Fixed monthly service fee + 7% VAT calculated on the total amount
How Can Solar Reduce Your Electricity Bill?
Solar panels generate electricity during daytime On-Peak hours when rates are highest. Every kWh produced saves ~5.1 THB (including Ft) instead of ~2.6 THB during Off-Peak.
For TOU users, solar is the perfect partner — the more expensive On-Peak rates get, the more solar saves. No more worrying about Ft increases.
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