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Sustainable energy system

Energy market

End consumers

Renewable Energy

Facts & Figures Biomass

Total biomass consumption

Gross biomass consumption 2021 (in %) – Source: CBS

Trailing behind only wind and solar power, biomass is the third most important source of renewable electricity in the Netherlands. As such, 77% of all biomass is consumed in energy conversion. This means that the vast majority of biomass is burned in order to produce heat and electricity. In 2021, this process consumed 100 PJ worth of biomass. Besides this, 13% of biomass was consumed within homes, 5% in agriculture, 3% in industry, and 2% in the service sector. 

Real-time generation of electricity from biomass

Real-time electricity generation from biomass – Source: Energieopwek.nl

The pie chart above shows how biomass is used for the generation of electricity in the Netherlands. Unlike wind or solar power, biomass plants generally run at a fixed output during the day. This means that the mix of different types of biomass that is used for energy production remains relatively constant. However, the proportions may vary throughout the year.

Biomass boilers are sources of renewable energy whereby biomass is burned to generate heat for district heating or industrial processes.

Co-firing means burning biomass alongside coals in coal-fired power plants. In this situation, only the energy that can be attributed to the co-firing of biomass is considered renewable.

Wood furnaces are considered renewable insofar as wood is seen as a form of biomass.

Waste plants burn biological waste together with non-biological waste. The energy generated by burning biological waste is considered renewable.

Biogas is a form of biomass that is created by fermenting biological waste. This can be combined with natural gas to create a partly renewable energy source.

Boi-oil is a renewable oil of biogenic origin, produced through biomass pyrolysis. This process liquefies biomass by heating it in the absence of oxygen.