Members of the European Parliament voted in favor of proposals to revise the Renewable Energy Directive (REDIII). The aim of the proposals is to increase the share of renewables in the EU’s final energy consumption to 45% by 2030. The use of primary woody biomass was also addressed.
The MEPs’ decision allows, in part, biomass energy, including primary woody biomass, to continue to count towards renewable energy targets. However, MEPs also adopted amendments calling for a progressive reduction in the proportion of primary woody biomass that is counted as renewable energy.
The proposals define primary woody biomass to include all roundwood felled or harvested or otherwise extracted. This includes all wood obtained from harvests, such as quantities removed from forests, as well as wood recovered due to natural mortality, logging and harvesting.
It also includes all wood harvested with or without bark, including wood harvested in round, chip, square or other forms, together with wood that has a rough or pointed shape.
Primary woody biomass not covered by the agreement
However, the definition of primary woody biomass does not include biomass obtained from sustainable forest fire prevention measures in high fire risk areas. Woody biomass obtained from road safety measures and woody biomass extracted from forests affected by natural disasters, pests or active diseases are also not taken into account.
According to the proposal, the energy share of solid biomass fuels derived from primary woody biomass cannot exceed the share of the overall energy consumption of the average solid biomass fuel in 2017-2022, according to the latest available data.
Bioenergy groups welcome the adoption of REDIII, but stress that the new definition of primary woody biomass raises some concerns.
Bioenergy Europe stresses that biomass will play a more crucial role than ever in achieving the new REDIII targets and criticizes the lack of support for primary woody biomass. “This new measure will make bioenergy from primary woody biomass the only renewable source that will not be eligible for support, creating an uneven playing field with other solutions,” the group said in a statement.
“When comparing subsidies per unit of energy produced, biomass receives significantly less support than other renewable sources, let alone fossil energy.
Since sustainable bioenergy is sourced, produced and distributed almost exclusively in the EU, the subsidies the sector receives are efficiently used to support the EU economy and create jobs.
Removing these subsidies without removing support for fossil fuels will send disturbing signals to the market that slow decarbonization.”
Response from renewable energy groups
Bioenergy Energy also criticizes the Parliament’s decision to place a limit on the share of primary wood biomass relative to total biomass used. This cap would be set at the share of primary woody biomass between 2017 and 2022. The group said that caps and phase-downs are counterproductive at a time when the EU needs to mobilize all its available resources.
“Succeeding in the energy transition and becoming more energy independent is only possible if we do not restrict any renewable energy for the wrong reasons,” said Jean-Marc Jossart, secretary general of Bioenergy Europe. “Decision-makers should rely on more scientific evidence. Primary biomass comes from sustainable forest management practices that are necessary for our forests to withstand climate pressure.”
Source: Biomass Magazine (2022)