Thailand has abundant biomass resources. Rice, sugar, palm oil, and wood-related industries are the major potential biomass energy sources. An estimated 60 million tons of agricultural and wood residues are produced each year in Thailand.

Presently, most of these residues are disposed of through open burning and dumping. A small portion is used as fuel for the mills heat and power requirements in a very inefficient manner.

Biomass Resource Distribution

The table shows four major biomass sectors in the country. The sugar and rice mills are mostly concentrated in the North and Northeast provinces of the country. Palm oil mills are found mostly in the Southern provinces. The Rubber wood industry is mostly found in the South; teak logs are highly concentrated in the Northern and Southern parts of the country; and Eucalyptus plantations in the Northeast provinces are also a potential source for wood wastes.

Electricity from Biomass

Aggregate commercial power generation potential from biomass residues including rice husk, bagasse, and palm oil residues is estimated to be around 1,000 MW.

The current installed capacity of biomass co-generation and power generation plants reach about 420 MW, of which only 125 MW export excess electric power to the grid.