Fuel report
Renewables 2020
Analysis and forecast to 2025
Bioenergy
Bioenergy accounts for roughly one-tenth of world total primary energy supply today.
Read more
Modern bioenergy is an important source of renewable energy, its contribution to final energy demand across all sectors is five times higher than wind and solar PV combined, even when the traditional use of biomass is excluded . In recent years, bioenergy for electricity and transport biofuels has been growing quickly, mainly due to higher levels of policy support. However, the heating sector remains the largest source of bioenergy.
Modern bioenergy does not include the traditional use of biomass in developing countries and emerging economies for cooking and heating, using inefficient open fires or simple cook stoves, which has impacts on human health and the environment.
Modern bioenergy does not include the traditional use of biomass in developing countries and emerging economies for cooking and heating, using inefficient open fires or simple cook stoves, which has impacts on human health and the environment.
Last updated Nov 9, 2020
Key findings
Biofuel production growth in key markets, 2019-2024
OpenBiofuel production forecast to increase 25% over the next 5 years
Global biofuel production increased 10 billion litres in 2018 to reach a record 154 billion litres. Double the growth of 2017, this 7% year-on-year increase was the highest in five years. Output is forecast to increase 25% to 2024, an upwards revision from 2018 owing to better market prospects in Brazil, the United States and especially China.
Global biofuel production 2010-2019 compared to consumption in the Sustainable Development Scenario
OpenStronger policy support and innovation to reduce costs are required to get on track
Transport biofuel production expanded 6% year-on-year in 2019, and 3% annual production growth is expected over the next five years. This falls short of the sustained 10% output growth per year needed until 2030 to align with the SDS. Stronger policy support and innovation to reduce costs are required to scale up both advanced biofuel consumption and the adoption of biofuels in aviation and marine transport, as envisaged in the SDS. As only sustainable biofuels have a place in the SDS, more widespread sustainability governance must complement higher biofuel output.
Bioenergy power generation in the Sustainable Development Scenario, 2000-2030
OpenAn optimistic outlook for bioenergy in power generation
In 2019, bioenergy electricity generation increased by over 5%, just below the 6% annual rate needed through 2030 to reach the SDS level. Recent positive policy and market developments in emerging economies indicate an optimistic outlook for bioenergy, supporting its “on track” status.
Analysis
Article
Renewables 2020 Data Explorer
Explore electricity, heat and transport data from Renewables 2020
Article
Biofuel production using petroleum refining technologies
Part of Today in the Lab - Tomorrow in Energy?
Article
How biogas can support intermittent renewable electricity
Part of Today in the Lab - Tomorrow in Energy?
Article
The role of bioenergy for climate and sustainable development targets
Part of Today in the Lab - Tomorrow in Energy?
Article
Levelised Cost of Electricity Calculator
Interactive table of LCOE estimates from Projected Costs of Generating Electricity 2020
Article
Aviation liquid fuels from sunlight and air
Part of Today in the Lab - Tomorrow in Energy?
Tracking report
Bioenergy Power Generation
Tracking progress 2020
Events
10 Nov 2020 10:30—11:30
Release of Renewables 2020
20 Mar 2020
Prospects for biogas and biomethane
21 Oct 2019
Renewables 2019
4 Sep 2019
Towards clean and sustainable cooking - The outlook for electric cooking in Morocco
Latest news
Renewable power is defying the Covid crisis with record growth this year and next
Global solar PV market set for spectacular growth over next 5 years
Global energy investment stabilised above USD 1.8 trillion in 2018, but security and sustainability concerns are growing
IEA convenes 2019 meeting of the Renewable Industry Advisory Board
Reports
Our work
The aim of the Bioenergy TCP is to increase knowledge and understanding of bioenergy systems in order to facilitate the commercialisation and market deployment of environmentally sound, socially acceptable, and cost-competitive, low-carbon bioenergy systems and technologies, and to advise policy and industrial decision makers accordingly.
