Environmental and socio-economic feasibility assessment of rice straw conversion to power and ethanol in Thailand

► Socio-economic benefits of power and ethanol production from rice straw are assessed. ► 23-32% (5-6 Mt/year) of rice straw can be used for energy in Thailand. ► Employment beneficiaries are to be 15,000-18,000 for power and 41,000-51,000 for ethanol. ► Direct value added GDPs are 0.6-0.76 USD/capita for power and 5.40-6.75 USD/capita for ethanol. ► 0.6-0.9% CO2 reduction per capita is expected.