Editorial

Biomass energy, including fuelwood, accounted for 11% of the world�s total primary energy supply in 2000. It is the fourth most important fuel after oil, coal, and gas. However, in electricity production, biomass energy is the least used, sharing only 1% of the world�s total fuel consumption for power.

In the European Union, biomass accounted for 3-4% of the total primary energy consumption in 2001. The figure is even much smaller for power generation. Nevertheless, the EU has targets for increased contribution of renewable energy, particularly biomass. The article prepared by Risoe and ECN discusses the current development and important issues regarding the use of biomass for power generation in the European Union.

A different picture is presented in Southeast Asia, where biomass is an important source of energy since fuelwood is still the dominant source of energy in almost 50% of the region. The share of biomass in the total primary energy supply of the ten ASEAN member countries in 1998 was about 40%. Biomass energy is largely used in the household sector and in small-scale industries. Recently, its use in combined heat and power generation is increasing. ACE discusses the role of biomass in Southeast Asia as well as the limitations and opportunities in the use of biomass for electricity generation.

Meanwhile, we are pleased to announce our Second Regional Workshop with the theme of "Renewable energy development in Southeast Asia�European Experiences and Perspectives". Interested individuals and companies involved renewable energy development particularly for power generation in Europe or Southeast Asia in may contact us for further details. Through this workshop, we aim to present the various issues and opportunities of biomass for power generation particularly in light of many global changes in the energy markets. We hope you can meet with us in the Risoe National Laboratory, Denmark, during March 27-28, 2003 and join us in active discussions. Who knows, you might see an opportunity to do business in Southeast Asia's Green energy market.

ASEM Green IPP Network Second Regional Workshop

"Renewable Energy Development in Southeast Asia -
European Experiences and Perspectives"

27-28 March 2003; Roskilde, Denmark

The second workshop of the ASEM Green IPP Network is to be held 26-27 March 2003 in Denmark. It is aiming to present experiences of European players in SEA in different fields linked to the Green IPP issue and to present business opportunities and market conditions in South East Asia. Notably, it is envisaged to discuss opportunities and barriers under the changed market conditions in the energy sector.

Issues such as Emission Trading, Joint Implementation and Clean Development Mechanisms are key features of the new market conditions that Green IPPs are operating within. Hence, they make up an important part of the framework - and the business opportunities - for Green IPP activities and Session 1 presents this context in the form of the European approaches and experiences. The market conditions (macroeconomics, power system and markets, prices, investment climates, policies, regulatory instruments etc.) and opportunities in the Southeast Asian market are then presented both by Southeast Asian parties and by European players currently working with Green IPPs in Southeast Asia. Finally, the perspectives linked to European developments in renewable energy are outlined. What potentials do these developments offer in Europe and in SEA? Which difficulties do the European Green IPPs meet (e.g. with power system integration) and what experiences have been gained trying to surmount these difficulties? To what extent are these experiences transferable to SEA? The last session concentrates on wind energy and on the second day of the workshop there is a site visit to wind power plants near Copenhagen.

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