Bioenergy is the largest source of renewable energy in the European Union. Bioenergy Europe's recently published 2025 Landscape Report shows that the sector contributes to the stability of the energy supply through its low dependence on external energy sources, particularly for heat supply.
The report analyzes the current state of the EU energy system based on the latest market data. A key element of this edition is the limited import dependence on biomass. While the EU largely relies on suppliers outside the Union for fossil fuels, 95 percent of biomass is produced domestically. This results in a net import dependency for the sector of 5 percent.
Share in the renewable energy mix
In 2023, bioenergy accounted for 51 percent of total renewable energy consumption in the EU. This share is highest in the heating and cooling sector. Within renewable heat supply, biomass represents an 81 percent share, making it the most widely used source for meeting industrial and residential heating needs.
Socio-economic impact and employment
The sector directly and indirectly supports approximately 500.000 jobs in Europe. These jobs are largely located in rural areas where bio-based raw materials are extracted and processed. The sector's annual turnover is estimated at over €32 billion. Because the supply chain is largely organized locally, the economic value remains within the Member States.
Development of biomethane and fuels
Biomethane production capacity has increased significantly over the past measurement period. By mid-2024, European capacity stood at 6,4 billion cubic meters (bcm), spread across more than 1.500 installations. This represents a 37 percent increase compared to the previous year. The report also anticipates a necessary scaling up of advanced biofuel production capacity to meet the European Union's 2030 targets.
Management of bio-resources
The report states that the growth in biomass energy consumption over the past decades has been achieved without leading to a decrease in European forest area. In fact, this area has increased over the period in question. The sector is increasingly focusing on the use of residual flows from agriculture and forestry, and on waste products that are not suitable for high-quality applications in the construction or furniture industries.
