Smart City อาจมี AI, IoT, EV และ Data เป็นภาพที่คนเห็นด้านบน แต่สิ่งที่อยู่ “ใต้เมือง” อย่างโครงข่ายไฟฟ้า คือ Infrastructure ที่ทำให้เทคโนโลยีเหล่านั้นทำงานได้
ดังนั้นการแข่งขันของผู้ผลิตสายไฟในอนาคต อาจไม่ได้วัดกันเพียงกำลังการผลิต แต่รวมถึงมาตรฐาน เทคโนโลยี ความสามารถด้าน Engineering และ Track Record ในเมกะโปรเจกต์ด้วย
720 KM Beneath Thailand’s Cities: Why Underground Power Cables Are Becoming Critical Infrastructure for Smart Cities
Bangkok Cable (BCC) is strengthening its position in Thailand’s underground power cable market, with cumulative project deliveries exceeding 720 kilometers between 2023 and 2026.
The projects, commissioned by the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), span major mass-transit corridors across Bangkok and its surrounding areas, as well as key provincial cities.
In 2026 alone, BCC is delivering an additional 150 kilometers of underground power cables.
Its project footprint covers several major rail corridors, including the Purple, Orange, Green, Yellow and Pink Lines, alongside infrastructure projects in Chiang Rai, Surin, Phuket and Trang. But the bigger story is not simply the 720-kilometer figure.
Why is Thailand moving more power infrastructure underground?
As cities become increasingly connected and technology-driven, reliable electricity infrastructure is becoming more important than ever.
Underground power networks can reduce exposure to storms, accidents and other external disruptions that may cause power outages. They also help improve urban landscapes by removing overhead power lines while supporting a more stable electricity distribution system.
This infrastructure will become increasingly important as Thailand expands its mass-transit networks, Smart City projects and technology-intensive economic activities. From Cable Manufacturer to Infrastructure Partner
With more than 60 years of experience in cable manufacturing and a track record spanning over 33 major infrastructure projects, BCC is positioning itself beyond the role of a conventional cable producer.
Its portfolio ranges from low- and medium-voltage cables to extra-high-voltage cables of up to 230 kV.
The company's 115 kV and 230 kV cable systems have been tested and certified by KEMA Labs, while its Extra High Voltage Testing Center operates in alignment with ISO/IEC 17025 as well as TIS and IEC standards.
BCC also develops customized cable solutions designed around the technical requirements of individual infrastructure projects.
The Opportunity Does Not End at 720 KM
Thailand continues to expand underground electricity infrastructure alongside urban and rail development.
Potential future opportunities include projects on the Thonburi side of Bangkok and areas along the Orange Line, while further underground cable development is expected as cities continue to modernize their infrastructure.
BCC says it intends to continue developing its underground cable portfolio and participate in upcoming project tenders.
IBiz News Perspective
Smart Cities may be defined by what people see above ground-AI, IoT, EVs, digital services and intelligent transport-but their ability to function depends heavily on the infrastructure underneath them. Electricity is one of those foundations.
As Thailand's cities become more digital, electrified and connected, demand will increasingly shift from simply having access to electricity toward having a power network that is reliable, resilient and capable of supporting more sophisticated technologies. This changes the competitive landscape for cable manufacturers as well.
Future competitiveness may no longer be determined by manufacturing capacity alone. Technology, engineering capabilities, international standards, customization expertise and a proven track record in large-scale infrastructure projects could become increasingly important differentiators.
For BCC, therefore, the 720-kilometer milestone is not merely a measure of cable delivered. It represents the company's position within a much larger structural trend: Thailand's long-term transformation of its urban and energy infrastructure.
And as rail networks and Smart Cities continue to expand, the infrastructure hidden beneath Thailand's streets could become one of the country's most important—and least visible—investment stories.