Wood energy already plays an important role in the energy transition, especially the heat supply in the EU. In 2023, more than a quarter of the heat supply in households in the EU came from biomass, most of it from wood.
With a share of 11%, biomass also plays an important role in supplying industrial heat. Unlike fossil fuels, wood is hardly dependent on imports, which makes it a reliable energy source. The potential of wood energy has not yet been fully realized. Rather, wood-based energy can be an important pillar of Europe’s future energy supply, contributing to a more resilient and locally rooted energy system.
The regions of Bavaria, Castilla-La Mancha, Styria and Castilla y León therefore are joining forces and forming the Wood Energy Regions Network (WERN).
The group says, "We are convinced that wood energy plays to its strengths best in the European regions. Each region has its own resources, challenges and opportunities. The impacts of climate change make the transformation of forests increasingly essential, while appropriate forest management also contributes to wildfire prevention.
"In both cases, sustainably managed forests generate wood that can be used for energy production. Together we want to pool the potential of European regions to strengthen resilience in the EU‘s energy supply."
