The Old Continent, or more specifically, those countries that make up the European Union , faces several energy challenges, one of the main ones being its high dependence on oil and gas as energy sources. These fossil fuels, which represent a very high percentage of the EU's energy imports, pose a significant geopolitical and environmental disadvantage.
To mitigate this dependence, the European Union has opted for renewable energies, which are not only cleaner, but also more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Evolution of energy dependence
In 2014, the average energy dependence of the EU-27 reached 53,4% , a percentage that has been increasing over the years. This situation has led European countries, especially Brussels, to seek alternatives to reduce this dependence on fossil fuels, which account for nearly 99% of net energy imports.
Renewable energy is a clear alternative, and biomass has become particularly important within this sector. According to a study by the European Biomass Association (AEBIOM), Europe could be self-sufficient in renewable energy for 66 days a year , and 41 of those days could be covered exclusively by biomass.
“Bioenergy is the most important renewable energy source in Europe. It is close to overtaking coal to become the first indigenous energy source,” said Javier Díaz, president of AVEBIOM (Spanish Association for Energy Recovery).
Sweden: A role model
Sweden leads the ranking in Europe in terms of days of energy self-sufficiency through biomass, reaching 132 days , surpassed only by Finland with 121. In contrast, Spain has less than 28 days of self-sufficiency and is positioned in 23rd place, sharing the spot with Belgium.
This data is indicative of how countries like Sweden and Finland are maximizing their forestry potential , while Spain still has a long way to go in terms of biomass utilization.
“We are still far from the countries that lead the table, such as Finland or Sweden,” says Jorge Herrero, Project Director of AVEBIOM.
Role of bioenergy in the European Union
Despite the differences, biomass is destined to play a crucial role in the coming years, as this renewable source is projected to be essential for meeting the EU's 2020 targets. Experts point out that bioenergy will contribute half of the set energy target, thus reaching 20% renewable energy production across the region.
In 2014, bioenergy accounted for 61% of all renewable energy consumed in Europe , which corresponded to 10% of the continent's gross final energy consumption.
Using biomass for heating and cooling
One of the sectors where biomass has become most important is in thermal energy , especially for heating and cooling . These two uses account for approximately 50% of total energy consumption in the EU , and of that percentage, 88% is covered by bioenergy generated from biomass.
This means that biomass has a key role to play in the fight against energy dependence, especially in terms of heating and cooling, covering 16% of gross energy consumption in Europe.
Biomass growth in Spain
Spain has experienced exponential growth in its biomass production and use capacity in recent years. Between 2008 and 2016, the number of biomass-using installations grew from just over 10,000 to more than 200,000, with an average installed capacity of 1.000 MWt (megawatts thermal).
An interesting fact is that the forestry potential in Spain can be considerably doubled , without needing to allocate more land exclusively to biomass production.
However, Spain only utilizes 30% of the biomass extracted from forest clearing , while other countries like Austria, Germany, and Sweden optimize between 60% and 70% of what is extracted. This highlights the untapped potential in the country.
This development has boosted the sector's economy, which generates approximately €3,700 billion annually , representing 0,34% of GDP . Furthermore, biomass has created over 24,250 jobs , many of them in rural areas, contributing to the development and revitalization of these regions.
Sustainability and energy security
One of the main benefits of biomass is its positive impact on reducing CO2 emissions , as it is a renewable energy source considered carbon neutral . This means that, although CO2 is released during combustion, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted is offset by the amount absorbed by plants during their growth through photosynthesis.
Furthermore, the use of biomass contributes to improving the management of mountains and forests , thus minimizing the risk of forest fires that can be so devastating, especially in a country like Spain, where fires are a constant threat.
Biomass not only offers an environmental benefit, but also a socio-economic one, by promoting local employment and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
The future of biomass is promising if its use is optimized, technological improvements are implemented, and sustainable forest management is adopted to make the most of this energy source.
In a context where energy transition is vital to reduce the planet's carbon footprint, biomass presents a solution that can take advantage of natural resources responsibly and efficiently.