EU Burn Trees To Burn Fossil Bridges?

Europeans increasingly burn trees for energy after green policies leave countries hobbled? Can we tell forest from trees whether this Bioenergy is “clear counterpoint” to fossil fuels & boomeranging green energy technologies?

A leading industry group recently told Fox Business that bioenergy is, indeed, the alternative at least Europe needs right now, especially as Russia’s war with Ukraine & NATO drags on. And the shift to biomass energy – including wood-derived fuels for heating and cooling – “already accounts for the majority of renewable energy generated in the EU.” Note, most of that bioenergy is home grown, i.e., not imported from Russia, the US or anywhere else. “Over 96% of the biomass used for bioenergy is being produced domestically within the EU,” said Maija Lepisto, a spokesperson for Bioenergy Europe.

Ok. As Fabian Ronningen, a senior analyst at Rystad Energy, “there’s been an under-investment in fossil fuels in Europe” & the EU’s precipitous conversion to solar & wind was made without a backup in the system. “Until we find a better technical solution than natural gas,” he added, “you need something to back it up, and that is the role of coal and gas and also nuclear in Europe at the moment.” But, does that mean Europe is going to have to one day also scramble to save it forests?

Davd Soul