A shift in the U.S. housing market may finally be opening the door for first-time homebuyers as improving affordability and rising inventory create new opportunities across several key regions.

Jacksonville, Florida, leads the list as the top market for first-time buyers this year, followed by Birmingham, Alabama; San Antonio, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; and Houston, Texas. 

Each of these cities is benefiting from a more favorable balance of home prices, available inventory and buyer competition, according to a new Zillow analysis.

Zillow’s rankings are based on several key factors, including rent burden, the share of affordable listings, inventory relative to renters and the concentration of buyers in their prime homebuying years. 

The top 10 markets for first-time buyers in 2026 are:

Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville, Fla., at dusk (iStock / iStock)

Jacksonville ranks first, with rent consuming 23.1% of income. Nearly 47.8% of listings are considered affordable, supported by relatively strong inventory at 5.9 homes per 100 renters.

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Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham stands out for affordability, with more than 55.6% of homes within reach and 6.2 listings available per 100 renters.

San Antonio, Texas

With a lower rent burden of 20.2% and 47.4% of listings deemed affordable, San Antonio offers a balanced entry point for buyers.

Atlanta, Georgia

About 45.2% of listings are affordable in Atlanta, where moderate competition is paired with steady inventory levels.

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Houston, Texas

Skyscrapers in downtown Houston, Texas (iStock / iStock)

Houston’s affordability rate sits around 40.2%, supported by a large population of buyers in their prime homebuying years.

St. Louis, Missouri

Affordability is a key strength in St. Louis, where 67.7% of listings fall within reach for first-time buyers.

Detroit, Michigan

Nearly 64.8% of homes in Detroit are affordable, combined with relatively manageable competition.

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Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh benefits from a low rent burden of 18.4%, with about 48% of listings remaining affordable.

Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore skyline (Edwin Remsberg/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Approximately 61.8% of homes are affordable in Baltimore, though inventory is tighter at three listings per 100 renters.

Louisville, Kentucky 

Louisville rounds out the top ten, with 54.1% of listings considered affordable and a steady supply of homes.

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Mortgage rates are still elevated, and housing inventory sits about 20% below pre-pandemic levels. Still, conditions have improved from a year ago, with more homes available and modest gains in affordability, according to Zillow.

“First-time buyers are finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel,” Orphe Divounguy, senior economist at Zillow, said in a statement. 

“Affordability is still a challenge, but rising incomes, stabilizing prices and improving inventory are creating real opportunities in parts of the country.”

United Airlines is raising checked bag fees by $10 to $50 for travelers purchasing tickets starting Friday, the company confirmed to Fox Business on Thursday.

The increase, which the airline said marks its first bag fee hike in two years, comes after JetBlue announced similar measures in late March. 

Customers flying within the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Latin America can expect a $10 increase on first and second checked bags, while the fee for a third bag will jump by an additional $50.

The airline did not specify whether the price increase was tied to higher jet fuel costs stemming from the recent Iran war, which has drastically disrupted global oil markets. However, United CEO Scott Kirby warned in recent weeks that sustained higher jet fuel costs could strain company revenue. 

JETBLUE HIKES BAGGAGE FEES BY UP TO $9, CITING RISING FUEL PRICES AMID IRAN WAR

United Airlines airplanes proceed to a runway at Newark Liberty International Airport on January 27, 2024, in Newark, New Jersey. (Gary Hershorn / Getty Images)

“United is raising first and second checked bag fees by $10 for customers traveling in the U.S., Mexico and Canada and Latin America beginning with tickets purchased Friday, April 3,” the airline said.  

Currently, tickets sold through April 2 list prepaid bag fees at $35 for the first bag, $45 for the second, and $150 for the third. Starting Friday, those fees will increase to $45, $55, and $200, respectively.

Similarly, bags paid within 24 hours of travel currently cost $40 for the first bag, $50 for the second, and $150 for the third. Starting Friday, those fees will increase to $50, $60, and $200, respectively.

“Customers in most markets will still enjoy a $5 discount if they prepay for their bags online 24 hours before their flight,” the airline said, referring to the first two bags. 

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Travelers gather with their luggage in the international terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on June 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.  (Mario Tama / Getty Images)

The airline emphasized that eligible passengers — such as United Chase credit card holders, MileagePlus Premier members, active military members, and travelers in premium cabins — can still check a bag for free. 

Earlier in March, Kirby acknowledged the rising pressure from higher jet fuel prices, noting that over the course of a year, the increased costs could exceed twice the company’s most profitable year.

“The reality is, jet fuel prices have more than doubled in the last three weeks,” the CEO wrote in a memo to employees. “If prices stayed at this level, it would mean an extra $11B in annual expense just for jet fuel. For perspective, in United’s best year ever, we made less than $5B. That may sound scary, but the first piece of good news is that, for now at least, demand remains the strongest we’ve ever seen. The 10 biggest booked revenue weeks in our history have been the last 10 weeks.”

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United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby speaks to reporters after a joint press event on December 13, 2022.  (LOGAN CYRUS/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Earlier this week, JetBlue Airways also raised its checked bag fees for economy passengers, citing disruptions in global oil supply from the ongoing Iran war. Under the new structure, the first checked bag now costs about $39 on non‑peak days and about $49 during peak travel periods, up roughly $4–$9 compared with previous rates.

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When an airline raises fees, competitors often follow. However, there have been no additional indications yet from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, or Frontier Airlines that they plan to take similar measures.

Fuel costs have surged to multi-year highs after the U.S.–Israel conflict with Iran erupted on Feb. 28, disrupting roughly 20% of the global oil supply that normally flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

As of Thursday, jet fuel in major U.S. markets averaged $4.88 per gallon, up more than 95% from the day before the war began, according to Argus data published by Airlines for America.

FOX Business’ Eric Mack contributed to this report. 

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TD Bank’s online banking and mobile app services were disrupted for hundreds of customers Thursday, with reports of login failures, slow performance and inaccessible accounts surging early in the day before appearing to ease by afternoon, according to outage tracking sites and social media alerts.

The outage, first widely noted around 9:10 a.m. Eastern Time, affected TD Canada’s digital platforms primarily, though some U.S. customers of TD Bank, N.A., also reported intermittent issues. Status monitoring accounts quickly amplified customer frustration, with one popular X account, @status_is_down, posting that “TD Bank’s online banking services are reportedly down for hundreds of customers right now.” The alert linked to a community forum thread on designtaxi.com that invited users to share experiences.

Downdetector and similar services recorded a spike in reports, with the most common complaints centering on the mobile app (about 48% of issues), login problems (29%) and funds transfers (14%). Users in Ontario and other parts of Canada described error messages, frozen screens and inability to check balances or complete transactions. One report via a status aggregator noted sign-in problems in Ontario around 12:34 p.m. local time, alongside slow performance complaints.

As of late Thursday, Downdetector indicated no widespread current problems, suggesting the disruption was temporary and services had largely been restored. No official statement from TD Bank confirming the cause or duration was immediately available on its websites or social channels. The bank’s Canadian maintenance page referenced only prior scheduled work from late March, with no mention of Thursday’s event.

The incident highlights the growing reliance on digital banking and the vulnerability of even major institutions to technical glitches. TD Bank, formally the Toronto-Dominion Bank, is one of North America’s largest financial institutions, serving more than 10 million customers across Canada and the northeastern United States through TD Bank, N.A. Its digital platforms handle millions of daily logins for everything from payroll deposits to bill payments and investment management.

Customers took to social media and forums to vent. Some reported being locked out while trying to pay bills or transfer money for rent and groceries, particularly problematic midweek when many rely on quick access. “We’re sorry. Service is currently unavailable” messages appeared for some attempting to reach the EasyWeb online banking portal or the TD app, echoing past outage notifications.

This is not TD Bank’s first brush with digital disruptions. Similar issues have cropped up in recent years, including a notable U.S. outage in 2018 that lasted days after a system update and left customers unable to access accounts. In March 2026 alone, multiple threads on Reddit’s r/tdbank subreddit described recurring “we’re fixing this right now” errors during app logins. Earlier in 2026, brief spikes appeared tied to routine maintenance or high-traffic periods like tax season.

Industry experts say such outages, while frustrating, are increasingly common as banks modernize legacy systems to support real-time payments, artificial intelligence-driven fraud detection and seamless mobile experiences. TD has invested heavily in its digital infrastructure, rolling out features like TD ASAP for instant customer support via the app and enhanced biometric login. Yet the sheer volume of users — combined with cybersecurity threats and complex backend integrations — can expose weaknesses.

“Digital banking outages can erode customer trust quickly, especially when people need immediate access to their money,” said one banking technology analyst who requested anonymity to discuss ongoing industry trends. “Banks like TD operate massive, interconnected networks. A small configuration change or unexpected traffic surge can cascade.”

Geographically, the bulk of Thursday’s reports appeared concentrated in Canada, where TD dominates retail banking under the TD Canada Trust brand. U.S. customers in states like New York, New Jersey and Florida — where TD Bank, N.A., maintains a strong presence with extended hours and convenient locations — also logged scattered complaints via status trackers. StatusGator, another monitoring service, captured real-time user submissions from Ontario and Florida pinpointing sign-in delays and transfer hiccups.

For affected customers, alternatives were limited during the peak disruption. Brick-and-mortar branches remained open for in-person transactions, though lines reportedly grew at some locations. Phone banking through TD’s 24/7 customer service lines (1-888-751-9000 in the U.S.) offered another option, but callers encountered longer wait times as volume increased. TD’s help center pages directed users to troubleshooting tips, such as clearing app caches, trying different devices or waiting a few minutes before retrying.

No evidence suggested the outage stemmed from a cyberattack or external breach. TD Bank, like peers, maintains robust security protocols, including multi-factor authentication and continuous monitoring. The bank has not disclosed any data incidents recently, and regulatory filings show ongoing investments in cybersecurity.

Thursday’s event comes as TD navigates a competitive landscape. Rivals like RBC, Scotiabank and Bank of Montreal have similarly faced digital hiccups, underscoring a sector-wide challenge. In the U.S., TD Bank, N.A., continues expanding its footprint while integrating technology from its Canadian parent. The bank’s 2026 financial outlook, released earlier, emphasized digital transformation as a growth driver amid steady revenue from retail and commercial lending.

Economically, the timing amplified inconvenience for some. With many Canadians and Americans receiving paychecks around the first of the month, an outage during business hours disrupted routine financial tasks. Parents transferring allowances, small-business owners paying vendors and retirees checking investment portfolios all felt the pinch.

By mid-afternoon Eastern Time, most monitoring sites showed normalized report volumes, indicating a return to normal operations. However, some users continued posting on X and Reddit about lingering slow response times or delayed transaction confirmations. TD’s official X accounts and Facebook pages remained silent on the matter as of early evening, focusing instead on promotional content and general customer service tips.

Banking regulators in both countries encourage institutions to maintain high uptime standards. Canada’s Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions and the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency monitor such incidents, though brief outages rarely trigger formal investigations unless they affect systemic stability or involve data loss.

For TD customers, the episode serves as a reminder to maintain multiple access methods. Experts recommend enabling text or email alerts for account activity, keeping paper records of key transactions and having backup payment options like debit cards or cash on hand. TD’s mobile app includes offline features for viewing recent statements, though full functionality requires connectivity.

Looking ahead, TD is expected to provide more details in its next quarterly earnings call or through targeted customer communications. The bank has a track record of transparent post-incident updates, often including apologies and credits for affected users in prolonged cases.

Broader context reveals digital banking’s double-edged sword. Adoption has skyrocketed since the pandemic, with over 70% of TD customers preferring app or web access for daily needs. Yet this shift increases pressure on infrastructure. TD’s own data shows millions of monthly active users on its platforms, handling billions in transactions.

Analysts note that while one-day outages rarely cause long-term damage, repeated issues could prompt customers to explore competitors. Switching banks is easier than ever with account portability tools and digital onboarding.

TD Bank employs tens of thousands and operates more than 1,100 branches across North America. Its U.S. arm, headquartered in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, emphasizes community banking with weekend hours, setting it apart from many peers. In Canada, TD Canada Trust is a household name with a reputation for reliability — a reputation Thursday’s glitch briefly tested.

As the day progressed without further escalation, the story faded from trending topics. Still, for the hundreds inconvenienced, it underscored a modern reality: when the app goes down, daily life can grind to a halt. TD Bank urged patience via its automated systems and encouraged use of in-person or phone channels until full resolution.

Customers with ongoing issues were directed to contact support directly or visit branches. TD’s contact page highlights the TD ASAP feature in the app for quick resolution once access resumes.

In the fast-paced world of fintech, Thursday’s outage was a minor blip in TD’s operations. Yet it served as a live demonstration of how interconnected our financial lives have become — and how quickly a few hours of downtime can ripple through households and businesses.

Monitoring continues, with outage trackers advising users to check back for updates. For now, TD Bank’s digital services appear operational, allowing customers to resume normal activities. The bank has not commented publicly, but past patterns suggest any formal acknowledgment would emphasize apologies and commitments to preventing future disruptions.

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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Travelers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport faced manageable security lines Thursday as the busy spring break travel period kicked off, with TSA wait times averaging under 20 minutes at most checkpoints despite projections for more than 1.68 million passengers over the 11-day stretch.

Real-time data from the airport’s official website showed standard security checkpoints reporting waits generally between 10 and 20 minutes early Thursday morning, with some third-party trackers listing averages around 13 to 17 minutes depending on the hour. Checkpoint-specific updates indicated short lines at most screening points, with one site reporting as low as 6 minutes at certain standard lanes and others noting Checkpoint 2 closed or dedicated for expedited screening.

Charlotte Douglas, one of the nation’s busiest hubs and a major American Airlines fortress, serves as a key connection point for domestic and some international flights. On Thursday, April 2 — the first major peak day for spring break — the airport anticipated heavy volumes as local school districts began releasing students for vacations running through April 12.

Airport officials had prepped for the surge, forecasting over 1.68 million total passengers, including about 838,000 departing travelers. Of those departing passengers, roughly 325,000, or 39%, are expected to originate in the Charlotte area, an 8% increase from the previous year despite an overall slight dip in total traffic compared to 2025.

The airport’s security page, which updates wait times regularly and encourages refreshing for the latest estimates, listed all concourses accessible from any checkpoint. It emphasized that current screening measures may add time and urged passengers to arrive prepared. TSA PreCheck lanes, where available, typically moved faster, often under 10 minutes even during moderate rushes.

Third-party monitoring sites provided varying snapshots. One reported an average of about 13 minutes overall with PreCheck available, while another pegged current waits near 17 minutes. Historical hourly breakdowns showed peaks in early morning hours, such as 4-5 a.m. averaging up to 24 minutes, before dropping in mid-morning. By late morning into early afternoon, waits were projected to stabilize in the 10-15 minute range.

Travel experts and airport communications stress that these are estimates and can fluctuate with passenger volume, staffing and random additional screening. Thursday’s conditions appeared smoother than feared, especially compared to recent periods when partial government shutdown concerns raised staffing questions at TSA nationwide. In March, Charlotte Douglas managed to keep most weekday waits under 10 minutes for much of the day, though evening peaks occasionally approached an hour — far better than multi-hour delays reported at some peer airports.

“CLT is preparing for spring break travelers,” airport officials noted in a recent release, highlighting real-time security information available on the CLT Airport App and website. The hub expects more than 7,900 departing flights during the period, with Thursday, Friday and the final Sunday as the busiest days.

For passengers, the advice remains consistent: arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours for international. Those without TSA PreCheck or CLEAR should factor in potential variability. The airport offers multiple checkpoints in its single terminal on level two, with all gates reachable post-screening. CLEAR, the biometric expedited service, is also available to further shorten lines for enrolled members.

TSA guidelines continue to apply, including the 3-1-1 liquids rule and recommendations to remove electronics and place them in bins. Officers may conduct additional checks, which can extend individual processing times. The agency can be contacted at 1-866-289-9673 for questions.

Charlotte Douglas handled record passenger numbers in recent years, solidifying its status among the top 10 busiest U.S. airports. American Airlines dominates operations, with extensive banks of flights that can create concentrated rushes at security. Officials have invested in technology and staffing coordination to maintain flow, including mobile ordering for concessions to reduce post-security bottlenecks.

Spring break brings a mix of families, students and leisure travelers, increasing the likelihood of carry-on bags and families navigating the process together. Airport leaders noted that local originating traffic is up this year, potentially adding pressure on morning departures. Still, recent data suggested the airport was faring well, avoiding the severe backups seen elsewhere during high-travel periods or staffing disruptions.

Travelers shared mixed but generally positive experiences on social platforms and forums in recent days, with many praising shorter-than-expected lines when arriving early. Some advised downloading the CLT app for live updates on waits, parking availability and bus times. Parking facilities and ground transportation also see heavy use during peaks, with officials recommending advance reservations where possible.

Broader TSA operations nationwide have faced scrutiny in recent months amid funding and staffing discussions tied to federal budget matters. Charlotte Douglas appeared resilient, with wait times staying relatively controlled even as other hubs experienced longer delays. The New York Times’ tracker of airport-reported waits showed CLT checkpoints under 10 minutes in some morning snapshots earlier in the week.

To minimize stress, experts recommend checking multiple sources before heading to the airport. The official CLT security page provides checkpoint-specific estimates. The MyTSA app from the Department of Homeland Security allows users to view and even report wait times. Sites like takeofftimer.com and onairparking.com aggregate data for quick glances, though official airport figures are considered most authoritative.

Passengers with disabilities or needing assistance can request accommodations through TSA Cares or airport services. Families with young children benefit from dedicated lanes when available, and the airport offers family-friendly amenities post-security.

Looking ahead through the spring break window, volumes are expected to remain elevated but manageable. The airport has encouraged use of its royalty program for parking rewards and promoted mobile ordering to streamline the experience. With warmer weather drawing vacationers to beaches and resorts, many flights head south or to major hubs for connections.

In the longer term, Charlotte Douglas continues expanding capacity. Recent infrastructure projects have improved flow, and ongoing coordination with TSA and airlines aims to keep security efficient as passenger numbers grow. The hub’s central location in the Southeast makes it a vital gateway, handling millions annually for both point-to-point and connecting traffic.

For those traveling Thursday or over the weekend, the message from officials is clear: monitor wait times in real time, build in a buffer and prepare for standard screening. While no major disruptions were reported early Thursday, conditions can shift quickly with flight banks or unexpected volume spikes.

Travelers departing later in the day should watch for potential increases as afternoon and evening rushes build. Historical patterns show waits often moderate after morning peaks before climbing again with later departures.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport, with its convenient layout and focus on customer experience, has earned a reputation for relatively efficient security compared to its size. Thursday’s data reinforced that, with short lines greeting many early arrivers despite the start of peak spring travel.

As millions take to the skies for spring break, staying informed remains key. Whether using the airport website, app or trusted trackers, passengers at CLT appeared set for smoother sailing through security than in some past busy periods.

The Transportation Security Administration reminds all travelers to pack smart, follow guidelines and allow extra time. With spring break underway, Charlotte Douglas stands ready to handle the surge while keeping wait times as brief as possible.

“Promoting a low-carbon society by announcing that Thailand will achieve the goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (2050) to cope with international trade and climate change by promoting and supporting the use of clean energy such as solar energy in communities and government agencies, the use of electric vehicles and public transportation, as well as increasing energy efficiency, especially in the industrial sector.” The Prime Minister delivers the Cabinet’s Policy Statement (September 29, 2025 at the National Assembly)

The Government’s policy statement reflects the government’s commitment to support and promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.The power generation sector will be pivotal in helping Thailand achieve its Net Zero 2050 goals, as electricity production is projected to become the country’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions by 2024, contributing 38% of the total emissions. This article explores the ways in which the power generation sector can achieve its goals. Net zero 2050 without breaking the “energy trilemma” or energy balance triangle.

What is energy trilemma? Why do you care?

The energy trilemma is a conceptual framework for energy policy design that is used by energy policymakers around the world. The design of energy policies must maintain a balance between 1) sustainability, 2) energy security, and 3) affordability. For example, if policymakers are primarily focused on achieving sustainability or security goals. Without taking into account the cost impact, it may increase energy prices and negatively affect electricity users in both the household and industrial sectors. In Thailand, this concept has been applied and measured as the Energy Trilemma Index (ETI).

According to the data on Thailand’s Energy Balance Index for the period 2016-2024, which is between 0 (the lowest balance index) and 5 (the largest balance index), the Environmental Sustainability Index is likely to increase from 3.17 in 2016 to 3.76 in 2024 due to the continuous higher proportion of renewable energy and renewable energy from the past. Energy security is likely to stabilize from 3.73 in 2016 to 3.76 in 2024 due to the high level of electricity access by the people nationwide and the high amount of electricity reserves. In terms of affordable prices, the index has decreased considerably from 3.46 in 2016 to 2.79 in 2024 due to the increase in electricity costs in Thailand due to the recent increase in natural gas prices. This is coupled with the high cost of electricity from the ready payment (money paid to power plants even if there is no electricity generation) for power plants to ensure the stability of the power system, as well as the payment of subsidies to renewable energy producers to promote sustainability and increase the proportion of renewable energy. Therefore, it can be seen that focusing on the implementation of policies in one dimension will also have an impact on other dimensions in the energy trilemma, for example, accelerating the transition to clean energy may help increase sustainability, but if there are no supporting measures, it may affect the cost of electricity (affordability) and affect the stability of the electricity system that must be managed by the volatility of renewable energy (Security). In order to ensure that the country’s energy transition is balanced and does not create a burden on all sectors in the country according to the framework of the energy trilemma.

Environmental Sustainability: Renewable Energy is the Answer

Energy Security: Technology and Distribution of Energy Sources An aid that meets the needs of securityIncreasing electricity from renewable energy is an important approach to help meet the needs of environmental sustainability. For example, generating electricity from natural gas that emits about 0.48 tonnes of CO2 per megawatt hour (t-CO2e/MWh) and from coal that emits up to 0.90 tonnes of CO2 per megawatt hour (t-CO2e/MWh) is different from electricity generation from renewable and nuclear power (SMR) with zero greenhouse gas emissions. Promoting new renewable and clean energy projects such as nuclear power plants (SMRs) is essential to help the power generation sector reduce greenhouse gases to zero. This is reflected in the draft Electricity Generation Target Plan to Achieve Net Zero by 2050 prepared by the Department of Climate Change and Environment and the Research Unit on Sustainable Energy and Built Environment at Thammasat University. Renewable energy is expected to increase from 23% (54 TWh) in 2025 to 58% (327 TWh) in 2050, and in the period 2030-2050, new clean energy technologies will contribute more to electricity generation, such as hydrogen fuel and nuclear power (SMR), with electricity from nuclear and hydrogen energy accounting for 6% (16 TWh) in 2030 and increasing to 16% (87 TWh) in 2050. In Figure 2, the proportion of electricity from natural gas and coal is declining, with electricity from natural gas decreasing from 58% (136 TWh) in 2024 to 26% (146 TWh) in 2050, while coal-fired electricity will decrease from 19% (45 TWh) in 2024 to zero in 2050. Evaluation of cost-effectiveness and production costs, including impact studies on communities and the environment.

Electricity generation from renewable energy will help meet the needs of environmental sustainability, but there are limitations that reduce the stability of transmission lines and power grids. Fluctuations in electricity quality from renewable energy that depend on weather and seasonality. For example, solar energy can only generate electricity during daylight hours or about 5-6 hours a day, and can only produce electricity at peak efficiency during periods of high solar intensity. If there are clouds that obscure the sun, such as the rainy season with a lot of clouds, it will reduce the efficiency of solar power generation. Because natural gas and coal can be stored and reserved to generate electricity 24 hours a day, the electricity obtained is of good quality from the production process that can be controlled to ensure the stability of electricity. However, with today’s advanced technology, SCB EIC found that there are at least three types of technologies that can help solve the problem of grid instability caused by renewable energy generation. As follows:

1) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) technology: This technology helps to store electricity from renewable energy produced at different times so that it can be used throughout the day or during times of high electricity demand. For example, in many countries that use BESS to increase electricity security, such as the Waratah Super Battery project in Australia that installed up to 700 MW of BESS to increase the stability of the power grid by increasing electricity from renewable energy instead of decommissioning coal-fired power plants in New South Wales, and the Henan grid-side project in China that uses BESS for backup power during peak load times and emergency response, etc. In Thailand, BESS has already been applied to work in tandem with electricity generation from solar farms, such as the Solar + BESS project with a power sale agreement of 121 MW of GULF Group companies that have started generating electricity and selling it to ELECTRIC in 2025.

2) Smart grid technology that will work with renewable energy and battery power plants to increase “electrical stability”, especially in regional electricity consumption or areas remote from the main power grid. For example, in Australia. It is the country with the most smart grid installations in the world, both experimentally and commercially, such as the Western Downs + Broken Hill project with a total capacity of more than 320 MW. In order to strengthen the stability of the power grid by increasing electricity from solar farms in Queensland, etc.

3) Demand Response (DR) technology will help to visualize the overall picture of electricity demand and electricity production in various sources (Supply), from large-scale power plants down to household electricity generation from solar rooftops, so that they can participate in electricity generation to meet demand. For example, the DR installation project in 45 states in the U.S. provides real-time electricity demand awareness, allowing the government to manage electricity production and distribution to meet demand and reduce energy losses in the grid.

Increasing the proportion of electricity generation from renewable energy must be done in parallel with diversifying energy sources. This is to reduce the risk in the event that electricity generation from renewable energy is problematic and reduce the risk of the country’s supply and import of fossil fuels. For example:

• Sourcing fuel from a variety of producers and procurement plans to reduce the risk of energy imports, such as: Providing natural gas from multiple suppliers and increasing domestic natural gas production will reduce the risk of fluctuating natural gas import prices and affect the cost of electricity generation.
• Develop a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) nuclear power plant as a baseload power generation source as a new alternative to natural gas and coal power plants in the long term.

Strengthening energy security is an important priority for countries such as Singapore and Japan to have a fuel reserve storage strategy to reduce the risk of fluctuating energy import prices and promote the use of hydrogen as a substitute for natural gas in the long term and in emergencies.

Affordable prices (energy wealth) – High electricity costs drag on energy wealth. Therefore, it must be managed in parallel with the investment in new technology.

Electricity costs are likely to increase due to the adoption of new technologies with high production costs. Although it meets the needs of security and sustainability, it will affect the wealth that is the cost of energy for the country. Although the cost of generating electricity from renewable energy tends to decrease and is lower than the cost of generating electricity from fossil fuels, investment in new technologies to make the power system stable and sustainable. This will increase the cost of electricity production. For example, according to the draft PDP 2024 Power Generation Capacity Development Plan, the electricity bill is likely to increase from 3.76 baht per unit in 2030 to 3.98 baht per unit in 2037 due to the introduction of new clean energy technologies for electricity generation, such as the introduction of hydrogen as a fuel to replace natural gas in electricity generation in 2030, the investment in the BESS energy storage system for the power grid and the start of use in 2032, and the start of nuclear power generation (SMR) in 2037. The government must take measures to accommodate the increase in electricity bills in the future because the increase in electricity costs will affect many dimensions, including the cost of living of the people and business costs, as well as the country’s competitiveness. If you compare the electricity tariff for Thailand’s large-scale industrial sector (group with investment plans in Thailand) with other countries in the ASEAN region by 2025, it will be found that Thailand has an average electricity tariff of about 3.55 baht per unit, which is the fourth highest among the 10 countries in the ASEAN group. If Thailand’s electricity bill tends to increase in the next period, it will reduce the country’s competitiveness, and the government is the main agency that must manage the cost of electricity production appropriately during this transition. It is believed that from the Net zero goal, Thailand must increase clean energy technology and make electricity bills tend to rise. The government can alleviate this problem through at least three actions:

1) Supply domestic fuel in a higher proportion to reduce the import of high-priced fuels, such as the supply and production of natural gas in the Gulf of Thailand. Procurement of alternative fuels such as biogas for use in natural gas power plants, etc.

2) Purchase electricity from renewable energy at a lower price in line with the trend of declining electricity production costs in the future, such as solar energy, which is expected to reduce the cost of electricity generation to 1.1 baht per unit in 2030 and to 0.7 baht per unit in 2050, etc.

3) Enable Direct PPA (pilot project to trade electricity from renewable energy directly between data center operators and power producers) and Third Party Assessment (TPA) (allowing third parties or power producers to connect electricity to the power grid). This will not affect the electricity bills of the public and other businesses due to the government’s charging for power grid services by separating the costs arising from the investment in the new power grid in the areas where the new industrial groups are investing. Such an approach will be able to meet the needs of new industries that need clean electricity to achieve Net zero, which will encourage investment while not affecting the country’s overall electricity bill.

After all, Thailand is moving towards Net Zero 2050, which will affect all three dimensions of the energy trilemma: sustainability, security, and prosperity. But the transition also requires investment to strengthen the stability of the power system. Whether it is BESS investment, strengthening network management capabilities, and SMR development, these are all factors that may affect electricity costs and inevitably affect energy wealth. Therefore, SCB EIC has proposed three ways to help revive energy wealth. These approaches will help Thailand pursue a balanced energy transition between sustainability, security, and prosperity, while maintaining the country’s competitiveness amid increasingly fierce business competition and rapidly increasing demand for clean energy in the future.

Published in the Journal of Banking and Finance, the financial tidbit column for March 2026.

Source : SCB EIC brief / Net zero 2050 : ธุรกิจผลิตไฟฟ้าไทยจะเปลี่ยนผ่านอย่างไรไม่ให้เสียสมดุล Energy trilemma? | SCBEIC

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If you have dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets in your freezer, federal officials say you may want to check the packaging.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Wednesday issued a public health alert for certain frozen, ready-to-eat chicken nuggets that may contain “unsafe levels of lead.”

Although the product is no longer available in stores, officials warn it could still be in freezers across the country.

EINSTEIN BAGELS CREAM CHEESE SPREAD RECALLED OVER ALMONDS THAT COULD CAUSE LIFE-THREATENING ALLERGIC REACTION

Cooked dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets are displayed on a plate. (iStock / iStock)

The alert applies to 29-ounce bags of “Great Value Fully Cooked Dino Shaped Chicken Breast Nuggets,” sold at Walmart nationwide. 

Affected packages have a “Best If Used By” date of Feb. 10, 2027, along with lot code 0416DPO1215 and establishment number P44164 printed on the packaging.

The issue was discovered during routine testing, and an investigation is ongoing, according to FSIS.

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The alert applies to 29-ounce bags of “Great Value Fully Cooked Dino Shaped Chicken Breast Nuggets,” sold at Walmart nationwide.  (U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service)

Health experts caution that lead exposure is especially dangerous for young children and pregnant women, as it can impact brain development and the nervous system.

“There is no safe amount of lead exposure,” FSIS said, noting that levels found in the nuggets could be up to five times higher than the FDA’s interim reference level for children.

THOUSANDS OF BREAD, PIZZA ITEMS RECALLED IN 10 STATES OVER POSSIBLE METAL CONTAMINATION

Consumers who purchased the product are urged not to eat it and should instead discard it or return it to the place of purchase. (U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service)

Consumers who purchased the product are urged not to eat it and should instead discard it or return it to the place of purchase.

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A spokesperson for Dorada Foods did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.