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Abstract:
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This study aims to evaluate the Social Return on Investment (SROI) of a biogas pipeline project that replaces liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for household use. The case study covers three communities: Mae Yui and Pa Kham villages in Ban Tan Subdistrict, Hot District, and Bong Tan village in Bong Tan Subdistrict, Doi Tao District, Chiang Mai Province. The objective is to quantify the project's social and environmental value in monetary terms, providing stakeholders with a clear understanding of the benefits generated per 1 baht of investment. The project aligns with Thailand’s renewable energy and energy conservation policies and promotes sustainable, community-based energy solutions. Data were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, including the management of the Ban Tan Integrated Waste Disposal Center, community leaders, and household gas users. Relevant academic literature and reports were also reviewed to support the SROI assessment and the analysis of the project’s payback period. The findings indicate that the project, which has been implemented for seven years in Mae Yui and Pa Kham villages, yields an SROI ratio of 3.16, demonstrating high social value. In contrast, the one-year-old project in Bong Tan village shows an initial SROI of 0.18, which is projected to increase to 1.25 over a seven-year horizon. These results suggest that long-term implementation is essential for achieving investment effectiveness and realizing clear social, economic, and environmental benefits. The study recommends expanding this biogas-sharing model to nearby communities with similar potential and using these findings to inform national policies on renewable energy investment and sustainable waste management.
Keywords: Social Return on Investment, Biogas, Renewable Energy, Waste Management, Sustainability
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