Energy wood potential of forests in the European Union

The potential sources of forest fuels in 25 European Union (EU) member countries are presented. Felling residues and stumps from current felling as well as the round-wood balance between the net annual increment and current felling were identified as potential energy wood resources. It was estimated that felling residues total 173 mill. m3 annually. Annually harvestable felling residues were estimated to be 63 mill. m3. In addition, about 9 mill. m3 stump wood from current felling (out of 78 mill. m3 total potential) could be used for energy production. When 25 % of the round-wood balance, including above ground biomass, is directed to energy use, 64 mill. m3 of above ground biomass and about 4 mill. m3 of stump wood could be used for energy annually. Thus the available forest fuel totals about 140 mill. m3 per year, i.e. about 56 mill. owen dry tons of wood, which corresponds to about 280 TWh of energy or 24 Mtoe. This would be about 24% of the current use of renewable in EU25. (authors)