Biomass Heating Support Schemes in Europe
Biomass Heating Support Schemes in Europe were the central theme of Bioenergy Europe’s Working Group on Domestic Heating, held on Tuesday 31 March. As domestic heating will continue to play an important role in the future of the EU energy system, public support for fossil-free solutions remains a key tool for delivering a more sustainable future.
The meeting brought together expert speakers from five European countries to examine how support schemes for biomass-based domestic heating are developing across the EU. The exchange gave members a practical overview of national approaches, ongoing market trends, and the policy choices shaping the uptake of clean heating solutions.
Domestic Heating Support Schemes: France, Italy and Germany in Focus
The first part of the meeting focused on support mechanisms in France, Italy and Germany. Thomas Perrissin, CEO of ÖkoFEN France, opened the discussion with an overview of current market trends in biomass domestic heating in France, including recent sales developments across different appliance categories.
The discussion then moved to Italy, where Diego Rossi, speaking on behalf of AIEL, presented the support framework currently in place. His intervention outlined the incentives available to both households and companies, offering useful insight into how public support can help accelerate investment in renewable heating technologies.
To conclude the first session, Malte Trumpa from the German association BBE reviewed the objectives of German support schemes, their main eligibility criteria, and the lessons that can already be drawn from their implementation. This provided members with a clearer picture of what has proven effective and where challenges remain.
Looking at Support Schemes from Austria and Poland
In the second part of the meeting, attention turned to Austria and Poland. On behalf of Propellet Austria, Doris Stiksl, CEO, presented the Austrian support framework for the 2024–2026 period, with particular attention to the number of boilers installed and old systems replaced. Her presentation also highlighted the role of pellets as a reliable ally in the current political and energy security context. The session then continued with an additional update delivered by Lukas Kuderer from the Austrian Biomass Association, who shared further reflections on the current state of play.
Finally, participants received an overview of the Polish support landscape. Janusz Starościk, President of the Management Board from SPIUG, covered schemes ranging from municipal to national level and illustrating the multi-layered approach being developed to support more sustainable heating solutions.
A valuable opportunity
Members had the opportunity to analyse biomass heating support schemes in Europe. More broadly, Bioenergy Europe’s working groups offer members a valuable space to exchange national experiences, monitor policy and market developments, and engage directly with peers from across the sector. Joining these meetings is one of the many benefits of becoming a member of Bioenergy Europe, together with access to advocacy updates, expert discussions and a strong European network.
