Bioenergy worldwide - statistics & facts
The global bioenergy industry is a sector dedicated to generating energy from organic materials, such as plant matter, agricultural residues, and even waste products. This industry is becoming an increasingly important component of the global energy mix, not only because of its potential to mitigate climate change but also due to its ability to promote energy security and support rural economies.
Despite these challenges, bioenergy remains an indispensable component in the global transition to renewable energy. By transforming organic materials into usable energy, bioenergy reduces greenhouse gas emissions, promotes energy independence, and can help to support rural communities. With continued innovation, further investment in sustainable practices, and careful consideration of environmental impacts, the global bioenergy industry can play a key role in creating a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
Bioenergy production worldwide
The global bioenergy industry has seen significant growth and evolution in recent years. By 2023, the industry's capacity reached approximately 150.26 gigawatts, with solid biofuels accounting for the largest share at nearly 105 gigawatts. In addition to the above-mentioned solid biofuels, municipal and industrial waste are a significant contributor to bioenergy worldwide. Renewable municipal waste contributed around 21.4 gigawatts to this total. The utilization of waste for energy production has grown in importance as cities and other urban districts grapple with rising waste volumes. By 2027, the global waste-to-energy market value is projected to have reached over 50 billion U.S. dollars. This increase in capacity reflects the broader trend of declining installation costs, which averaged 2,162 U.S. dollars per kilowatt in 2022, continuing a downward trajectory since 2020.Role of bioenergy in the global economy
The bioenergy sector’s growing significance to the global economy is evident in its employment figures. During the 2021/2022 period, biomass energy was associated with approximately 779,000 jobs, with the European Union leading the pack with about 354,000 jobs. This growth in employment is particularly significant for rural communities. The promotion of bioenergy projects in these areas not only leads to job creation but also stimulates economic development, and as such a growing bioenergy industry has the potential to provide support to these regions. The sector’s financial performance has been strong, with biomass electricity generation generating around 11 billion U.S. dollars in revenue in 2022, a significant increase from previous years. Furthermore, the waste-to-energy market added another 3.4 billion U.S. dollars to the sector’s revenues, highlighting its economic feasibility. However, as the global bioenergy industry expands, it’s crucial to consider potential drawbacks, such as increased competition for land and water resources and the environmental impacts of intensified crop cultivation for biomass production.Despite these challenges, bioenergy remains an indispensable component in the global transition to renewable energy. By transforming organic materials into usable energy, bioenergy reduces greenhouse gas emissions, promotes energy independence, and can help to support rural communities. With continued innovation, further investment in sustainable practices, and careful consideration of environmental impacts, the global bioenergy industry can play a key role in creating a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
