Spain only utilizes 40% of its forest biomass

The forestry sector should be one of the driving forces behind the economic and socio-labor development of rural areas in a country where forest land represents more than 55% of the surface area, almost 30% of which is wooded.

Biomass has been the most important source of indigenous energy in Eur since 2016, surpassing fossil fuels . Biomass, as an energy resource, and the forestry practices of the processing industry are two key drivers of the rural economy, offering clear complementary advantages in decarbonization processes, achieving circular economy objectives, and, above all, combating forest fires and strengthening our forests. According to data from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), biomass and waste accounted for 19.1% of total energy consumption in 2020 (4,541 GWh), well below the targets .

Miguel Soriano, member of the Rural Affairs Committee of the Institute of Engineering of Spain, states that “in a country like ours, with a marked forest character in a large part of its territory, coinciding with rural areas, the use of timber resources for biomass as an energy source can contribute to promoting the development of a rural economy with clear complementary advantages in the processes of decarbonization, compliance with circular economy objectives and, above all, in the defense against forest fires and the strengthening of our forests.”

To achieve this, Spain needs to develop forest management practices that allow for the efficient mobilization of more biomass . Mobilizing these renewable resources sustainably will contribute to achieving the EU's 2030-2050 targets, energy independence, reducing the risk of large wildfires, and generating quality employment and a strong business sector in rural areas. "It is crucial that the EU recognizes the importance of utilizing forest biomass in a country like ours, where its utilization rates are far below eur and, essentially, below what sustainable management would allow us to achieve. It is also essential to develop the necessary measures to improve current forest management practices," explains the expert.

Each year, forest biomass increases by 46 million m³, of which Spain only utilizes 40%, below the European average eur 61%) . Its use through sustainable forest management reduces the risk and severity of forest fires and provides a sovereign source of energy. Furthermore, if efforts are focused in the coming years, as experts recommend, biomass could increase by 12 million m³ annually, sustainably, thanks to the vast timber stock. This would create 12,000 jobs and the equivalent of replacing 25 million barrels of oil and preventing 9 million tons of CO2 emissions.

Spain ranks 22nd out of 27 in terms of the proportion of electricity produced from solid biofuels . Solid biofuel production is 8.1 million tons of dry matter per year, with 56% coming from wood chips, 19% from firewood, 10% from olive pomace, and 7% from pellets.

However, two factors currently threaten the biomass sector . Firstly, there is a shortage of skilled workers for mechanized forestry operations . Secondly, the implementation of the new Eur Renewable Energy Directive, RED III, has stalled. This directive promotes sustainable forest management as an integrated solution that would prevent large forest fires, increase the capacity of forests to absorb CO2, and allow for the mobilization of accumulated biomass, with socioeconomic benefits and a very positive impact on addressing the demographic challenge. Experts also emphasize the need to integrate the planning and optimization of resource use into forestry engineering and science in Spain.