Background

Since 2013, GBEP has organized an annual Bioenergy Week in various global regions as part of its Working Group on Capacity Building, Activity Group 3 (AG3) “Study tour for capacity building and training”. In 2023, Bioenergy Week is returning to the Asia-Pacific region, with a four-day event in Bangkok. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is organizing the event within the context of the GBEP Programme of Work. It is hosted by the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE), Ministry of Energy, Government of Thailand, in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Objectives

The 2023 GBEP Bioenergy Week brings together a network of bioenergy stakeholders, including international experts, decision-makers, and private sector representatives, to discuss current trends, future opportunities, and challenges. Previous Bioenergy Weeks have effectively contributed to the discussions, best practices and lessons learned for enhancing agricultural productivity, feedstock logistics, and the use of modern conversion technologies.

The Bioenergy Week will facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences related to sustainable bioenergy production and its integration within food production value chains, supporting the design and implementation of regional bioenergy policies. It will also provide an opportunity to continue an ongoing dialogue with the private sector and key stakeholders, enhancing cooperation for the promotion of sustainable bioenergy production and utilization.

Regional context

Asia is experiencing a significant increase in both supply and demand, driven by robust incentivizing policies in countries, such as India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Wood energy, including fuelwood and charcoal, plays a vital role in Asia’s energy landscape and is expected to remain a key energy source. In 2020, Viet Nam emerged as one of the top five wood pellet exporters. In many countries, wood accounts for a significant portion of energy consumption, ranging from 20 to 80 percent. However, the growth rate of woodfuel utilization lags behind that of fossil fuels.

The significant potential for biogas and biomethane production is driven by the abundant availability of suitable feedstock and the recent surge in natural gas consumption and imports. China, India, and Thailand lead in biogas production, with China implementing policies to promote household-scale digesters in rural areas, improving access to modern energy sources and clean cooking fuels.

The region’s liquid biofuel production is set to surpass Europe by 2026, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) 2021 projection. Anticipated demand growth amounts to approximately 10.8 billion litres annually between 2021 and 2026. Indonesia currently holds the highest biodiesel blending mandate globally at 35 percent. Additionally, India, aiming for a 20 percent ethanol blending target by 2022, recently established the Global Biofuel Alliance during its G20 presidency.

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