Strict requirements for biomass sustainability – amendments to the RED II Directive

02/09/2021

The European Commission has published proposals to the RED II Directive revision. First of all, the innovations concern the strengthening of targets for RES, as well as the requirements for sustainable use of forest biomass in the EU.

Prerequisites for the publication of the document: the binding target for achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and the target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 – 55%.

In particular, the target of 32% of RES in gross final energy consumption by 2030 is proposed to be increased to 40% in 2030.

In addition, biofuels from forest biomass made from raw materials obtained from lands with high biodiversity, high carbon reserves, and peatlands will not be considered sustainable. Previously, these requirements applied only to agricultural biomass.

Biomass fuel must also meet the sustainability criteria if it is used at plants with an installed thermal capacity of 5 MW or more (solid biomass) and 2 MW or more (biogas). As well as at plants producing gaseous biofuels with an average biomethane consumption above 200 nm3 / hour of methane equivalent.

Criteria for reducing GHG emissions for electricity production, heating/cooling from biomass fuel are at least 70% until 31.12.2025, and 80% – from 01.01.2026. It is proposed to extend them to all installations, not just new ones.

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In the next article, we will share information about the introduced cascading principle of the biomass cascade and what it will affect.