Priyantha Wijayatunga, Upali Daranagama and K. P. Ariyadasa[11]

10.1. INTRODUCTION

Biomass accounts for 51 per cent of energy supply in Sri Lanka (see Figure 10.1). Most of this biomass-based energy use is traditionally confined to the domestic sector, where most of the rural and suburban households rely on fuelwood for cooking. Industrial and agricultural sectors also use wood fuel as well as other biomass-based material such as bagasse and rice husk, to generate heat or steam for agricultural processes and to drive small-scale industrial processes (Ceylon Electricity Board, 1998).

In recent times, biomass has attracted widespread interest as a primary energy source for electricity generation, due to its potential as a low cost, indigenous supply of energy as well as due to environmental benefits accompanying biomass-based generation technology. Conversion of biomass to electricity is considered as one option available to arrest CO2 emissions caused by fossil-fuel-based generation. In addition to this global benefit, there are local benefits mainly resulting from energy plantations accompanying biomass-based generation technology, such as reduced soil erosion, restoration of degraded lands, and amelioration of local impacts of fossil-fired power generation (e. g. SOx and NOx). Other advantages include social benefits such as creation of local employment and improved availability of fuelwood for household use.