In ASEAN countries, biomass provides 2.5!109 GJ/year of primary energy, which
accounted for 40% of the region demand, of which 74% is firewood [3]. It was further
estimated that biomass wastes could generate 30% of electricity demand in the region.
With the rate of 2% biomass utilization increment (in 1985–1994) together with the profile
of population change, it was predicted that in 2010 Thailand will consume 57 million ton
600 S. Prasertsan, B. Sajjakulnukit / Renewable Energy 31 (2006) 599–610
of biomass (equivalent to 13,580 ktoe). This figure is marginally less than the estimated
supply of woody biomass of 59 million ton [3].