EU law and the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) consider it a carbon-neutral renewable energy source and a way to address climate change, representing almost 60% of renewable energy consumption in the EU, of which 96% is produced within Europe and used for heating and cooling with about 75% of all bioenergy.
Bioenergy is the only renewable energy source able to provide not only heating and cooling, but also electricity and transport fuel.
of renewable energy consumption is BIOENERGY
of bioenergy is produced within EUROPE
of bioenergy is used for HEATING & COOLING
Bioenergy refers to energy derived from the conversion of organic, natural sources (referred to as biomass, and available on a renewable basis), such as wood, agricultural crops or organic waste, which can be used in electricity, heating, cooling and transport.
import dependency only
of all bioenergy consumption
Bioenergy is flexible and reliable, storable, dispatchable and locally sourced (import dependency: 3,7%). It relies on feedstock from agriculture and forestry, largely produced in rural areas, therefore having a positive socio-economic impact and increasing job creation. For several European countries, bioenergy ensures their transition from fossil fuels, replacing oil, gas, and coal in the electricity and heating sectors.
Forestry / woody biomass (wood chips, pellets, logs) is the most important bioenergy source and represents more than two third of the EU bioenergy consumption. Primary material for this woody biomass are by-products like bark, saw dust and wood chips of other industries such as sawmills, pulp mills and wood-working industries.