Forest industry is the bioenergy driver

Forest industry is Finland’s overwhelmingly largest producer of bioenergy. The Finnish forest industry has invested heavily in bioenergy, energy-efficiency and energy conservation. These measures have helped to keep the sector’s CO2 emissions at target levels even though paper production has increased by more than 40% since 1990. About a fifth of Finland’s energy is generated from wood. This is five times the EU average and places Finland at the clear lead of industrialised countries in the energy use of wood.
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EBRD helps boost green energy use in Poland

The EBRD is promoting the use of renewable energy in Poland with a loan to finalise the construction of one of the country’s first large-scale biomass power plant. The Bank is providing a €30 million loan to Saturn Management, an independent company producing and supplying energy to Mondi Swiecie, one of the largest paper and containerboard producers in Europe, situated in Swiecie, in northern Poland.
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Schmack Biogas AG honoured with EUBIA Industry Award

The 7th EUBIA Industry Award was delivered 2009 on the occasion of the 17th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition recognising Schmack Biogas AG for its »outstanding contribution to the development of the Biomass Energy Sector.« Schmack Biogas AG has been chosen this year for its activity as a pioneer in biogas development in Germany and in Europe and, moreover for its commitment to modern and industrial scale production of biogas. The first pioneer bio-methane plant was built by Schmack in Pliening, Germany and
the company went on to build one of the largest plants in Europe at its headquarters in Schwandorf. Currently, 3 bio-methane plants built by Schmack are in operation and a further 4 plants are under construction.
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Case Study: Biomass CHP plant in Borås, Sweden

If the share of renewable energy in Europe is to be increased to 12% by 2010, one has to consider an increase in the use of biomass, both for heat and electricity production. Wood and wooden waste are anything but rare, but they need rather heavy investments if they are to be fully exploited. That is why the use of wood as a real renewable energy source still is subordinate in comparison to other renewable energy sources. Nevertheless, some cities (many of them in Scandinavia) have had successful experiences, like in Borås in Southern Sweden, where the use of biomass combined with a large drying unit, makes the achievements quite remarkable.
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GDF Suez has begun construction of an biomass/coal fired power station in Rotterdam

GDF Suez SA (GDF Suez), through its subsidiary Electrabel S.A. (Electrabel), has begun construction of an 800 megawatt (MW) combined biomass/coal fired power station in Rotterdam. The project represents a total investment of EUR1.2 billion. The power station will have an energy efficiency of around 46%. The power station can burn half coal and half biomass, thus achieving a further reduction in its CO2 print. Construction of the power station is scheduled for completion in 2013. It forms part of a wider investment programme that will see GDF SUEZ spending EUR30 billion over the period 2008-2010.
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