In 2017, biomass heating prevented the pollution produced by 2.6 million vehicles for a year

The use of biomass as heating fuel, whose installations rose to almost 245,000 in 2017, prevented the emission of 3.85 million tons of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of what 2.6 million vehicles pollute during a year , according to the report prepared by the Biomass Observatory, of the Spanish Association for the Energy Recovery of Biomass (Avebiom), on the occasion of World Environment Day.

The Avebiom Biomass Observatory monitors the evolution of technologically advanced stoves and boilers that are installed annually in Spain. Therefore, the data it offers does not include the activity of traditional wood-fueled equipment, such as old stoves, barbecues and others of lower efficiency.

Contrary to the effect produced by the consumption of fossil fuels in Spain, which in 2017 increased CO2 emissions by more than 100,000 tons, the greatest contribution of biomass to the fight against climate change is a consequence of the significant increase in installations — especially all stoves and boilers—which came into operation during the last year, 23% more.

Tax incentives
Javier Díaz, president of Avebiom, points out that "in Spain we could advance much more quickly in the use of the biomass that our forests contain, an activity that would have a very direct impact on improving their conservation, generating employment and wealth." To promote this activity, specific measures are demanded, such as the reduction of the Municipal Real Estate Tax (IBI), or the application of a reduced VAT to biomass, as different countries have already done: United Kingdom ( 5%), Germany (7%), France (10%), Latvia (12%), Austria (13%), Ireland (13.5%) and Czech Republic (15%).

Thermal energy
During 2017, the installed power has increased by 1,106 MW, which has made it possible to generate a considerable amount of thermal energy, which is estimated at 1,245 kTEP, equivalent to a lower consumption of 1,470 million liters of heating oil.

The installed power has multiplied by five in the last ten years, going from 1,510 MW in 2008 to the 9,404 MW registered at the end of 2017. By autonomous community, the ranking is led by Andalusia, Castilla y León and Catalonia, which surpass the thousand megawatts installed.