The Future of Biofuels in Thailand

The 'general and global' aspects of energy, fuels for transportation, and biofuels are first discussed before focusing on the energy situation and the development of biofuels in Thailand. The types of energy and the possible role of biofuels are briefly outlined. Gasohol is now widely accepted in Brazil and the USA. Brazil is the world leader in fuel ethanol from sugar cane, with the USA making rapid progress with ethanol from maize. Sugar cane has the highest ethanol yield per hectare but cassava-based ethanol looks attractive for Thailand. Biodiesel (methyl esters of vegetable oils) is attracting increasing commercial attention as a replacement for petroleum-based diesel. Rape seed oil (Germany) and soybean oil (the USA) are the major plant sources. There are several reasons for the successful introduction of biodiesel (discussed in the paper) but strong government support in terms of policy and tax incentives to farmers and biodiesel producers have been particularly important. In Thailand, targets have been set for the replacement of gasoline by gasohol and the blending of biodiesel in diesel. This will require a very substantial increase in ethanol production and progress towards achieving these targets has been rather slow. The commercial production of biodiesel has been even slower. It is considered that biofuels have a very large potential in Thailand, including for export. A program for the development of biofuels in Thailand, including the possible use of Jatropha as an oil source, is outlined, initially to satisfy the domestic market but later as a major export earner.