Solid biomass is by far the main source of renewable energy in Europe with a new consumption record of 93.8 Mtoe in 2015, an increase of 3.8 Mtoe over 2014.
According to EUObserv’ER “Solid biomass barometer 2016“, solid biomass is by far the main source of renewable energy in Europe with a new consumption record of 93.8 Mtoe in 2015, an increase of 3.8 Mtoe over 2014. The main factor for the European rebound in solid biomass consumption as primary energy during the winter of 2015 is that it was not as mild across the continent as the previous winter. Leaving aside climatic variations, the use of solid biomass for producing heat or electricity has tended to increase in the EU, spurred on by European support policies.
Solid biomass electricity output in the EU increased by 6.7 percent or 5.7 TWh over 2014 to reach 90.4 TWh in 2015. However, the report notes that for the past three years the UK has been the main driving force increasing EU solid biomass electricity output. Its output rose by 5.6 TWh between 2014 and 2015 and by 9.6 TWh between 2013 and 2015. Growth in the other countries in 2015 has been more “patchy” with increases in Belgium and France, contrasted by drops in Germany, Finland, Denmark and the Netherlands.
Solid biomass includes all the solid organic components to be used as fuels such as wood, wood residues, wood pellets, black liquors from the paper industry, straw, bagasse, animal waste and other materials and solid plant residues.
