Japan continues to lead in worldwide biomass market
The global biomass energy market is on a steady rise, with Japan emerging as a top contender in this sector. Consistent growth is anticipated, as per ecoprog’s study on solid biomass energy usage.
Europe is witnessing a surge in demand for renewable heat, driving market expansion. Bioenergy, especially with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), is gaining prominence. By 2033, the study predicts over 1,200 biomass power plants globally with a combined capacity exceeding 18.5 GWel.
Last year, the number of biomass power plants increased by approximately 110, reaching a total capacity of more than 1.5 GWel. Asia leads this growth, with an upsurge of over 1.1 GWel, especially in Japan. Despite China’s recent market slowdown due to reduced subsidies, Southeast Asian markets show promise.
In Europe, electricity production from biomass is slowing down while renewable heat demand is escalating. Germany exemplifies this trend, with a high demand for biomass heat, particularly in the industry and district heating sectors. Spain stands out with significant biomass power projects receiving subsidies through auctions, positioning it as Europe’s fastest-growing market in the next decade.
Apart from heat demand, the importance of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is expected to rise sharply. Major BECCS projects are underway in countries like the UK and Sweden, indicating a shift towards cleaner energy practices.
The North American market outlook is uncertain with conflicting factors such as incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act in the USA juxtaposed against unclear government funding. In Central and South America, Brazil maintains market dominance due to its robust sugar and ethanol industry. Nonetheless, countries like Argentina show great potential albeit with lingering political uncertainties.
A recent study conducted by think tank E3G has demonstrated the UK government’s feasibility to achieve its clean energy targets by 2030 without relying on biomass power from Drax, a significant development indicating progress in renewable energy adoption.
Innovations in the sector continue to emerge with the establishment of one of the largest biogas plants in the Nordic region, set to provide renewable LBG to local municipality services and Destination Gotland, marking a step towards sustainable energy utilization.
Further advancements are seen through Glanua’s acquisition of UK-based Marches Biogas, enhancing expertise in anaerobic digestion and biogas production. These strategic moves underscore a growing commitment towards efficient waste-to-energy solutions and renewable power generation practices across industries.
