Bioenergy Leaders Meet Commissioner Jørgensen on the Heating & Cooling Strategy

30 Mar

Bioenergy Leaders Meet Commissioner Jørgensen on the Heating & Cooling Strategy

Bioenergy leaders met EU officials to discuss affordable heating, circular bioeconomy and defossilisation

Brussels, 30 March 2026 — Bioenergy Europe and business leaders from across the bioenergy sector held a series of meetings with representatives of DG ENER and DG ENV, including Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, to discuss the upcoming Heating and Cooling Strategy and how bioenergy can support affordable heating, industrial competitiveness and climate action.

Bioenergy’s industry representatives emphasised to Commissioner Dan Jørgensen that Europe’s heating transition must remain practical, technology-neutral and adapted to local realities.

"Europe’s energy transition will only succeed if it works for people in practice. “That means keeping heat affordable, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and making the most of Europe’s own renewable resources.Bioenergy is already part of that answer, across homes, industry and district heating. As the EU shapes its next policy steps, that practical contribution should not be overlooked."

Jean-Marc Jossart

Secretary General of Bioenergy Europe

Electrification will be important, but it will not meet every heating need on its own. Bioenergy can provide renewable, dispatchable heat in homes, district heating and industry, while helping reduce pressure on electricity grids during winter peaks.

"Biomass is not a stand-alone answer, but it is a crucial part of a smarter heating system. Decarbonising heat is not about forcing one solution everywhere. It is about using the right technologies in the right places to replace fossil fuels in a practical way.When biomass is used for heating in buildings, it enhances energy security while also improving the flexibility and overall efficiency of the energy system."

Jean-François Sidler

CEO of Stûv

"The application of a technological neutrality principle will facilitate the mobilisation of the relevant local sustainable energy sources to strengthen the independence of the EU from fossil fuels. Biomass, as part of the energy sources mix, will participate in the district heating network decarbonisation by ensuring energy affordability and security of supply.”

Gad Pinto

Senior Vice-President New Urban Energy of Veolia

The delegation stressed that clean heat should remain affordable for citizens and workable for businesses.

"Europe should back industrial and district heat solutions that keep businesses competitive by being renewable, affordable, and rooted in local resources. Sustainable biomass and hybrid systems can help deliverlower emissions, less exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets, and more value for Europe’s domestic economy."

Thomas Schmidmeier

CEO of Schmidmeier NaturEnergie GmbH

Bioenergy can complement other renewable technologies, including hybrid systems, while relying on local resources and existing infrastructure. It can also support longer-term climate goals through Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) and biochar.

"Europe needs a pragmatic approach to clean heating. Modern biomass boilers are complementary to technologies such as heat pumps. Consumers should be free to choose the solution that best fits their building, local grid, and energy cost. If we make renewable heating more complex or restrict choices, people risk falling back on fossil systems instead."

Stefan Ortner

CEO of ÖkoFEN

Read Bioenergy Europe’s recommendations for the Heating and Cooling Strategy here.

A circular economy needs renewable energy from its own residues

A second meeting, with the Cabinet of Commissioner Jessika Roswall, focused on the role of bioenergy in the bioeconomy. The discussion highlighted how residues, side streams and post-consumer biowaste can be turned into renewable energy, helping Europe make better use of its own resources while reducing waste and supporting local value chains.

The delegation emphasised that efficient bioenergy systems help connect circularity with everyday needs, from heating homes to supporting businesses. In that context, predictable rules are important to ensure that circular and renewable solutions can continue to develop across Europe.

-END-

Tags:

News

Bioenergy Leaders Meet Commissioner Jørgensen on the Heating & Cooling Strategy