Global pellet production remains on the path of constant and stable growth, with an increase of 5 percent from 2019 to 2020. The EU27 reached a production of 18,1 million tons in 2020, making it the largest pellet producer in the world, with Germany is still the largest pellet producer in the EU. the bloc, while the Czech Republic (Czech Republic) recorded a remarkable increase of 2020 percent in 21,5, according to Bioenergy Europe's Pellets Statistical Report 2021.
For the third time since its launch in 2007, the 2021 Statistical Report, published by Bioenergy Europe (formerly known as AEBIOM), is being split into several publications, each covering a different aspect of bioenergy.
Bioenergy Europe has released Pellets Statistical Report 2021, the fifth chapter of its Statistical Report 2021 which focuses on wood pellets and their key role in achieving the 2050 carbon neutrality target.
The report shows that worldwide pellet use increased by 7 percent compared to 2019, reaching 19,3 million tons in 2020.
The EU-27 remains the world's largest pellet consumer, with the residential and commercial segment led again by Italy, which remains the world's largest residential pellet user, with a total consumption of 3,4 million tonnes.
The positive trend for the sector confirms the high resilience of wood pellets against external factors such as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the recent energy price crisis.
Although the supply of raw materials was reduced due to a slowdown in sawmill activity, most market players remained well supplied due to the high availability of raw materials in areas affected by forest disturbances, such as the bark beetle.
Reliable and affordable
On the other hand, the recent increase in electricity and gas prices has not affected the biomass sector and wood pellets have kept price levels stable so far – a “suitable solution to address the high energy dependence on fossil gas imports and to tackle the energy price crisis like what Europe is currently facing,” the report notes.
So taking all this into account, wood pellets “should be considered a reliable and affordable solution” for all sectors in the context of achieving carbon neutrality by 2.
Wood pellets can contribute significantly to the decarbonisation of the heating sector, which is responsible for almost half of energy consumption in the EU.
Jean-Marc Jossart, Secretary General of Bioenergy Europe, emphasizes that “a two-pronged approach to banning direct and indirect fossil fuel subsidies, together with unlocking support through the Social Climate Fund, would enable citizens to steps from fossil heating appliances to modern and efficient pellet solutions.”
According to him, this would result in faster deployment of renewable solutions and “protect vulnerable consumers from energy poverty”.
Source: bioenergyinternational.com
