Factsheet: Bioenergy in EU

Bioenergy is the EU’s largest renewable source, accounting for 59% of renewable consumption in 2021, dominated by solid biofuels (70%), followed by liquid biofuels (13%) and biogases (10%). Solid biofuel output rose from 3.3 million TJ (2008) to 4.4 million TJ (2021), mainly from woody biomass (66%), organic waste (26%), and agricultural biomass (8%); pellets and animal wastes saw the fastest growth. Liquid biofuels - largely biodiesel (80%) and bioethanol (18%) - reached 16.5 mtoe in 2021, while biogas hit 15 mtoe, led by Germany (~50%), Italy (14%), and France (9%). The RED (revised 2023) under Fit for 55 raises the 2030 renewable target to 42.5% and tightens sustainability rules (e.g., extending criteria to ≥7.5 MW installations, cascading use of woody biomass, and banning subsidies for energy from saw logs, stumps, roots, veneer/industrial roundwood).