Rice husk demand seen as too high
Bangkok Post, 28 August, 2004
Ranjana Wangvipula
Private electricity producers will be reluctant to use rice husk as a source of renewable energy as demand by new power plants in central and northeastern regions causes its price to soar, a researcher said.
A recent study showed the price of husk, used in place of fossil fuels, had risen from less than 200 baht a tonne three years ago to 550 baht now.
The government began promoting the use of renewable energy in 1992.
"The situation could affect the state renewable energy plan to some extent if businesses stop using husk as fuel and are discouraged from further investment in power plants," said Saichit Chawana, a researcher at Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology. Many power plant operators and cement plants now use rice husk, which reduces Thailand 's reliance on foreign oil and is considered better for the environment than burning lignite which emits sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide.
Ms Saichit said the government should limit husk demand in the central and northeastern regions by ensuring the total future capacity of electricity there does not exceed 135 megawatts. The current capacity is I I5MW, she said, leaving little room for new plants.
The government should encourage new power plants to open in the North, benefiting electricity users there.
Chavalit Pichalai of the Energy Policy and Planning Office (Eppo), said the high prices for husk was well-known, but said the situation was not so serious that the government needed to limit new power plants. Such a move would have to be carefully studied, he said.
"A limitation might cause concerns for some people, who would relate it to environmental issues," he said, adding some people believe the husk-fired power plants cause dust problems.
"This would make the state's future expansion [of power plants] more difficult," he said.
Mr. Chavalit said power operators are not required to use rice husks. Plants under the Small Power Producers Programme are committed to generate 75% of power by renewable fuels, but are free to choose a fuel suitable for their plant.
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