On 18 January at the Press Club in Brussels, Bioenergy Europe hosted an event to delve into the heart of Europe's energy landscape and the role of Bioenergy in the EU energy transition.  During  the  event  Jérémie  Geelen,  Bioenergy  Europe's  Market  Intelligence Director, presented a statistical report, 'Bioenergy Landscape' shedding light on bioenergy’s significance in the European Union's decarbonization journey.

As it is today, imported fossil fuels remain the main source of energy in the EU. At COP28 world leaders agreed on the need to break free from fossil fuel dependency and triple production of renewable energy by 2030. Bioenergy is Europe’s leading source of renewable energy. Primarily produced in Europe, it is a versatile form of renewable energy which can be used for heating, transport, and electricity.

During the event, three speakers presented three different perspectives on bioenergy potential to push forward the energy transition.

“Heating represents most of our energy demand. To reach climate neutrality by 2050 it is key to decarbonise the sector, Bioenergy takes the lead, contributing a substantial 83.6% to the EU’s renewable heating mix. Its standout features—versatility, indigenous supply, and independence from weather conditions — position bioenergy as a leading solution in the renewable heating landscape," stated Jérémie Geelen, Market Intelligence Director, Bioenergy Europe.

“The energy transition confronts us with the imbalance of our actions on the ecosystems on which we rely. The use of biomass for energy has highlighted the relationship between humans and nature and the renewal cycle of natural resources, raising awareness on sustainable practices and environmental protection of ecosystems,” highlights Martin Colla, PhD Candidate in Sustainable Energy, UCLouvain & VUB.

“Bioenergy is not only the most versatile renewable energy solution but also a viable option for hard to abate sectors like heavy industry and transportation. In essence, bioenergy is not just part of the solution; it is a key player in creating a cleaner, greener future for us all,” declared Esther Bustillo Vazquez, Project Engineer, ENGIE Laborelec.

During the event, speakers agreed that bioenergy and electrification are complementary and not competing, bioenergy is a crucial source of energy for households, especially those with lower incomes, and it has unique characteristics that Europe needs to achieve neutrality.

To assist the EU in its decarbonisation efforts Bioenergy Europe has outlined 3 steps towards the energy transition on its Manifesto for the 2024 European Elections. To find out more about the European energy landscape and bioenergy’s role on it read Bioenergy Europe’s Bioenergy Landscape Report.