Project period: January 2023 – December 2027
Thai - German Cooperation on Energy, Mobility and Climate (Biomass Component)
The project supports the transition to sustainable energy in Thailand by supporting the use of agricultural residues for energy purposes, which also improves air quality and diversifies farmers' income sources
According to Thailand’s second updated nationally determined contribution (NDC), submitted to the UNFCCC in November 2022, an ambitious pledge was made to unconditionally reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% from the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario by 2030. Renewable energy promotion is one of the proposed mitigation actions in the NDC. In discussions around the future of Thailand’s energy system, decentralized renewable energy generation from biomass deserves particular attention due to its potential, strategic importance for the country, and anticipated role in the energy system.
To address these challenges and fulfill the NDC commitments, the TGC EMC programme has been developed. Its primary objective is to facilitate Thailand’s transition to a sustainable energy model, promoting economic growth while aligning with ambitious climate goals. The programme encompasses five main components:
- Renewable Energy
- Transport
- Decarbonisation in Industry
- Biomass to Energy
- Climate Finance
A significant portion of Thailand’s electricity is currently generated from fossil fuels, and the share of variable renewable energy (vRE)-based generation remains below its potential. Simultaneously, there is a significant amount of unutilized agricultural residues that could serve as biomass feedstock for energy generation. Currently, it is a prevalent practice among farmers in Thailand to engage in open burning—burning of agricultural residues to prepare fields for the next crop and accelerate the harvesting process. This practice not only damages soil fertility, but also worsens air pollution affecting public health at large.
The TGC EMC Biomass Component focuses on assessing the potential use of agricultural residues as an alternative biomass feedstock, serving as a renewable and sustainable source of energy. This initiative aligns with national policies, addressing the issue of open burning and supporting farmers in generating additional income sources.
Our Goals
Areas of Implementation
Approaches
- Output 1.1: Analysis of demand and supply of biomass energy
- Output 1.2: Technical knowledge on biomass energy transition is improved
- Output 2.1: Cooperation among related departments is enhanced
- Output 3.1: Community-based collection network is established
- Output 3.2: Appropriate incentives for farmers not to burn agricultural residues
Expected Results
- A sustainable energy transition in Thailand
- Development of biomass-to-energy business models and markets
- Reduced air pollution from agricultural burning
- Diversification and improved incomes of small-scale farmers
- Strengthened biomass-to-energy friendly policies and strategies
Funding Agencies
Implemented by
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ)
King Mongkut s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT)
Public Partners
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC) led by the Working Group for Collecting Data on Emission in Agricultural Sector
GIZ Thailand