Biomass has always been a major source of energy for mankind, and accounts
for about 14% of the world’s total energy supply. Biomass is a clean energy resource,
considered neutral on CO2 emissions, that has a high potential for meeting increasing
energy demands as a substitute for fossil fuels. Biomass energy sources are abundant in
Cambodia. We assess the energy potential of the following non-plantation biomass
resources: (1) agricultural residues, (2) animal manure. The production of agricultural
residues and animal manure was based on the production of crops obtained from the
National Census 2008 and one study site. This information was categorized into: (i)
primary residues (paddy straw, sugarcane tops, maize stalks, empty coconut bunches and
fronds, palm oil fronds and male bunches etc.) and, (ii) secondary residues (paddy husks,
bagasse, maize cobs, coconut shells, coconut husks, coir dust, saw dust, palm oil shells,
fiber and empty bunches, etc.), and (iii) animal manure. The estimation of residue
generated can be calculated from the residue to product ratio (RPR). To estimate the
potential for deriving additional energy from a residue, it is important to establish the
present utilization pattern of the residue. The results of energy potential analysis indicate
that agricultural residues could have produced 212.11 GJ in 2010. The total annual
potential of biogas from animal manure in 2006, 2007 and 2008 was 1357.96 thousand m3
,
1432.89 thousand m3
and 1452.66 thousand m3
, respectively, and the corresponding
energy potential was 29.87 GJ, 31.52 GJ and 31.96 GJ, respectively. If this energy
potential can be developed in order to meet the demand for energy, it can reduce the
pressure on natural forests, the impact on human health, especially of women and children,
and the amount of greenhouse gas emissions.