EDITORIAL by Javier Díaz, president of AVEBIOM, for BIOMASA NEWS magazine no. 13, spring 2026
Reviewing the topics we covered in this issue of BIOMASS NEWS, I am even more convinced that Bioenergy is a fundamental piece for making steady progress in the decarbonization of the economy. And while electricity generation from biomass is important, it represents only a small part of the enormous potential offered by bioenergy.
Its possibilities are much broader: from heat production, which accounts for more than 601,000 tons of total EU energy consumption, to biogas and biomethane, with ambitious targets that continue to gain traction across Europe. Added to this are other avenues under development, such as biogenic methanol, with great potential to contribute to the decarbonization of maritime transport; biochar; the gasification of various biomasses to produce energy or for agricultural applications; and biofuels, whose development is progressing rapidly.
Overall, bioenergy offers such a wide range of solutions that it should be positioned as one of the main pillars for reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, in many cases immediately.
I also want to mention the delicate international situation we are experiencing. As happened with the war between Russia and Ukraine, the new escalation of war in the Middle East This again translates into higher prices for fossil fuels, especially oil and gas. And that, in turn, has a ripple effect on fuels, electricity, fertilizers, industrial costs, and ultimately, on the price of many consumer goods, including food, with the consequent impact on inflation.
In this scenario, the potential of bioenergy becomes clear once again. Given the rising cost of fossil gas, solutions such as district heating networks They demonstrate their competitive advantage even more clearly. Users connected to distributed heating systems based on biomass can benefit from greater cost stability, thanks, for example, to the much more stable price of wood chips, the main biofuel in many of these installations.
And it's not just about price. Availability is also a factor. A potential shortage of fossil fuels could create serious problems for many sectors that still depend on them. In contrast, investing in bioenergy, as numerous companies in the agri-food, beverage, paper, wood, and chemical industries are already doing, offers an extraordinary competitive advantage: security of supply, greater cost predictability, and a viable alternative for advancing decarbonization.
Finally, I want to highlight the strong commitment of the renewable gas sector to the sixth edition of Renewable Gas Exhibition. The business response has been extraordinary, with exhibitor bookings far exceeding those of the previous edition. This is further proof that companies are committed to replacing fossil fuels with renewable gases, which not only offer an energy solution but also help manage manure, slurry, and other organic waste, generating competitive natural fertilizers that are increasingly valued by the agricultural sector.
Download the magazine in PDF format (interactive table of contents)
https://www.avebiom.org/revista/BIOMASA-News-13-primavera2026