36 CROP RESIDUES IN REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA AND POTENTIAL TO BE USED AS ENERGY SOURCE Prof. d-r Ordan Chukaliev ss Kiril & Metodij University – Faculty of Agriculture, Skopje SUMMARY Agricultural activities in Republic of Macedonia are taking part on almost ¼ of its territory. During these activities significant amount of crop residues are produced. Major source of crop residues is cereal straw with about 669 000 t. The biggest concentration of straw production is in communities of Bitola (13,51%), Kumanovo (8,56%), Cheshinovo-Obleshevo (5,59%), Dolneni 3,88% and Kochani (3,58%). Straw is traditionally used as litter and fodder in animal sector. Anyhow certain amount of straw is not used and it can be valuable source of energy. Estimated surplus of cereal straw is about 160 000 t. Pruning residues are second important source of biomass for use as energy source. The grape pruning residues are estimated to 128 000 t and almost 30% of it are located in Kavadarci area. Fruit pruning residues are estimated to about 28 000 t with high concentration in Resen area with about 18% of total production The biomass available for energy purposes is estimated on 316 000 t. The biomass with lower quality (suitable for gasification) is produced in other crop production sectors, and significant amounts are coming from greenhouse production, with estimation of 40 t of residues per hectare. The use of biomass from crop residues in energy sector almost does not exist in the country and there is need to promote these activities, especially in areas where big concentration appears. The use of biomass as energy source will promote sustainable rural development in the country. Introduction The current trend of decision makers (especially in EU) is actively encouraging the use of renewable energy sources to reduce dependence on finite reserves of the fossil fuels oil, coal and natural gas. The main sources of renewable energy are wind, solar, hydro and tidal power, geothermal energy (naturally generated underground heat), and biomass. Biomass comprises all the living matter present on earth. The biomass re- sources are the organic matters in which the solar energy is stored in chemical bonds. The biomass energy can be from various sources (agriculture, forestry, algae etc), but finally it is transformed solar energy in process of photosynthesis that is taking part in green cell. In present it is the most efficient way of transforming and storing the solar energy. Biomass has always been a important source of energy for mankind from ancient times. The importance of biomass as energy source decreases with intensive use of fossil fuels. Biomass is a carbon neutral resource in its life cycle. Renewable