Each thermal megawatt of biomass installed covers the heating and DHW needs of 150 homes

In a conference organized by Unión por la Biomasa within the framework of the Genera fair last June, COSE (Confederation of Forestry Organizations of Spain) once again emphasized the added value that biomass energy provides.

During the meeting several data were revealed that demonstrate the enormous energy potential of biomass in our country. The forest area in Spain is 27,664,674 hectares, 57% of our territory. Our country is in third place in EurOPA on wooded forest surface, only behind Sweden and Finland, with an annual growth rate of 2.19 %, much higher than the average of EurOPA (0.51 %). Undoubtedly, Spain is a forest country.

The annual possibility (wood for extraction that could be cut) is approximately 46 million cubic meters, being the volume of shorts of 19 million m ³ . The extraction rate, therefore, is 41%, while the eur OPEA is 69%. There is the ability to increase production without exceeding the ability of the forest.

A magnificent 100% renewable fuel
Forest biomass is the quality biofuel due to its high calorific value and purity, contributing to the rural economy and the maintenance of forests, reducing their fuel load and therefore reducing the risk of fire. These are all advantages that must be taken into account when valuing it and betting on its consumption.

For every megawatt of electricity installed with biomass, it creates 11 direct and indirect jobs, 8,000 MWh of renewable energy (the electricity consumption of 2,500 homes) and the capture of 6,250 t of CO2 per year.

For each thermal megawatt installed, the heating and hot water needs of 150 homes can be covered, with a similar number of jobs generated.

It is a proximity resource, strategic for the implementation of the bioeconomy and the circular economy, which will be the factors that will drive demand in the future.

An adequate regulatory framework
According to COSE, “we need an adequate regulatory framework with dynamic measures such as a stimulation plan for the bioenergy sector where the government recovers its investment.”

The Confederation of Selvicular Organizations in Spain ensures that the electric fate of biomass is fully prevented by different measures taken by the Government. The generation Eurbiomass power

The thermal destiny is advancing slowly due to the excessive financing requirements of the projects and the previous implementation of generation systems with fossil fuels.

"To give a definitive boost to the development of biomass, its consumption would have to be promoted by government bodies and take energy policy seriously, provide financing facilities for energy projects, have tax incentives that attract investment in the bioenergy sector and favor the grouping of forestry producers/owners to organize a solid supply that generates stable demand," COSE assures.