Biomass and the benefits for the forest
Simple estimates of forest biomass potential for energy use can be derived from the current size of forests, forest removal and the size of the forest bioenergy sector in any given country.
According to the IEA’s estimate, 180.000 ktoe of forest biomass could be mobilised for energy use if current mobilisation logistics are optimised, the proportion of sustainably managed forests is increased and the quality management of mobilised biomass is improved.
The primary energy production from EU-28 forest biomass was 95.207 ktoe in 2017, indicating that there is still room for an increase in forest biomass mobilisation.
If forest biomass mobilisation were to reach 180.000 ktoe, it would replace 67% of the gross inland consumption of solid fossil fuel in 2015!