European energy crops overview - species, costs and commercial development

More than 30 potential energy crop species have been investigated in the European Union member countries, but only a few have been developed commercially. The introduction of energy crop in agriculture is relatively easy in the case of well-known agricultural crops such as oilseed rape and grain crops. However, for new crops concerted actions on basic research, technical development and farmers' advice are necessary. The only European case of large-scale commercial introduction of a new crop for energy is in Sweden where almost 20,000 ha of willow have been established. In order to reduce costs and increase commercial development, the focus must be on breeding, efficient crop establishment, weed control, water use and waste water treatment. To increase the production of perennial crops there is a demand for long-term stability within the EU agricultural policy. Basic production costs of solid fuel crops were calculated to be in the range of 24-86 ECU/odt excluding land rental and profits. These prices cannot compete with the market price on fossil fuels, but in some countries fossil fuel taxes have increased the biomass competitiveness. (author)