Policy Options and Implementation Measures Promoting Electricity from Renewable Biomass in the European Union

Biomass as a renewable energy source holds a great potential in responding to energy challenges of the future as meeting renewable energy targets set by the EU. The objective of the study was to analyse various policy options and implementation measures promoting electricity from renewable biomass in the European Union, including new Member States. The effectiveness of policy instruments regarding the development of electricity from biomass and biogas in the period of 1990-2002 and the framework conditions for this progress were assessed. It became clear that determination of the effectiveness of policy instruments cannot be separated from the environment these mechanisms are applied to. The most successful Member State/bioelectricity combinations were found to be Germany, UK, Spain and Finland. Bioelectricity has clearly benefited from feed-in tariff system in countries likes Germany, but for example in Finland and Sweden favourable taxation and strong links between forestry and power industry are defining factors for positive development. The study evidently shows that bioenergy development is coupled with several success factors and not a single instrument is responsible for favourable development. In general, the most important bioenergy barriers in the EU are the cost of bioenergy, political framework and public acceptability.JRC.F.8-Renewable Energy (Ispra