Biomass

Biomass refers to any substances derived from plant or animal material of recent origin which are used for energy production. The EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), in force since 1 July 2021, sets sustainability criteria for biomass. Biomass that does not meet these criteria does not count as a renewable source under RED II.

The sustainability criteria for solid biomass apply to installations with an input thermal capacity exceeding 20 MW. For biogas, modified criteria apply to installations above 2 MW. The biomass consumed in smaller installations is counted as renewable in full. Different sustainability criteria apply to liquid biomass. Biofuels for transport (biodiesel and biopetrol) also have specific criteria for sustainability. No criteria apply to waste incineration plants.