Bioenergy Europe’s Report: Europe’s energy security starts with renewables
Bioenergy Europe publishes its latest Landscape Report: a comprehensive picture of the EU energy system from production to use and market evolution. At a time when security of supply has become a defining priority for Europe, the report is a practical guide for policymakers and market actors navigating the clean energy transition.
“Recent political shifts have made this clear: reaching net-zero is not only about the climate; it is the sine qua non of Europe’s energy security and independence.” said Jean-Marc Jossart, Secretary General of Bioenergy Europe. “This report shows how bioenergy, together with other renewables, can contribute to a more resilient system. The EU needs to scale up sustainable, local resources to become more independent and secure.”
Bioenergy anchors the EU renewable mix and supports system resilience
Bioenergy remains Europe’s largest renewable energy source, providing around half of the EU’s renewable energy supply and supporting the defossilisation of the European economy. In 2023, bioenergy represented 51% of the EU renewable energy mix, underlining its role in reducing emissions and reinforcing energy independence through the use of local resources.
The Landscape Report also highlights why system integration matters as fossil fuels are phased out: combining renewable solutions is essential to manage seasonal demand, ensure flexibility, and keep energy affordable for citizens and businesses.
Securing heat: defossilising Europe’s biggest energy use
Heating is one of Europe’s most fossil-dependent sectors. Fossil fuels still account for 73% of heating in the EU, generating around 1.5 billion tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year, a trajectory incompatible with the EU’s long-term climate objectives. In 2023, renewables covered only about a quarter of heating and cooling demand, but within renewable heat around 81% came from biomass.
Bioenergy matters for security as much as for defossilisation: biomass combines domestic availability with low import reliance (5% dependency, and 1% of net imports), making it a practical option to reduce exposure to external shocks while accelerating the shift away from imported fossil heating.
Supporting industry: reliable renewable energy for hard-to-electrify processes
The Landscape Report also underlines the role of bioenergy in supporting industrial energy security, particularly for energy-intensive sectors where full electrification is not always feasible. A technology-neutral approach that mobilises all scalable renewables, including sustainable bioenergy, could support industrial competitiveness, helping to maintain activities in Europe while cutting emissions and reducing exposure to external supply shocks.
Bioenergy Europe’s message
Europe’s energy system will only be secure if it is clean, diversified, and resilient. “In Europe we depend on fossil fuels, but we have biomass to reach net zero emissions by 2050" concluded Jean-Marc Jossart “We should not miss this opportunity”.
