Wood energy in Europe will be reborn

For many in economically developed countries in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) region, wood stoves or fireplaces used to be a comfortable way to keep warm during the colder months. However, this winter, the role of wood may change dramatically, out of necessity.

Much of the UNECE region is increasingly affected by wild swings in heating oil, natural gas and coal prices, forcing vulnerable segments of the population to switch from gas and electricity for heating and cooking to the often inefficient and polluting wood stoves .

This vulnerability has exposed the urgent need to accelerate the transition to sustainable renewable energy, participants concluded at the 80th session of the Commission on Forests and Forestry (COFFI), held from 2 to 4 November 2022. When wood is properly cut, stacked, stored, and given enough time to dry and burn in a high-efficiency furnace, it can be a minimal-emissions, climate-friendly alternative.

COFFI highlighted that while consumption of key wood products (pulp and paper, wood-based panels and sawn timber) is currently facing a sharp decline due to the economic downturn, the wood energy market (wood pellets and conventional fuelwood) is rising sharply.

In 2021, EU countries burned around 23.1 million tonnes of wood pellets. Their consumption is expected to exceed 24 million tonnes by 2022, with further increases expected in the future due to soaring fossil fuel prices and increased demand from individual households.

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Europe dominates the global wood energy trade. In 2021, approximately 10.6 million tonnes of chopped, dried, ground and uniformly compressed wood pellets will be traded globally. Interestingly, the UK, as the world's largest importer of wood pellets, is also the largest single consumer, with a power plant (Drax) importing and burning 7.8 million tonnes of wood pellets in 2021.

Therefore, at the moment when the pellets are in short supply, the macreat pellet machine can bring you a new way of making money, come and consult us. We will provide you with the most comprehensive service