Biofuels Use Falls Short of Directive's Goal

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Global Bioenergy Industry News

Thursday, August 12, 2010

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Biofuels Use Falls Short of Directive's Goal

EU - Total 2009 biofuel use amounted to 12.1 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe), which represents a four per cent share across all road transport fuels estimated at 300 Mtoe in 2009. The European Union needs to raise biofuel consumption by six million tonnes of oil equivalent in 2010 if it is to reach the Directive's goal (5.75 per cent).

According to the EurObserv'ER estimates, the slowdown in the growth of European biofuel consumption deepened again. Biofuel use in transport grew by 18.7 per cent between 2008 and 2009, against 30.3 per cent between 2007 and 2008 and 41.8 per cent between 2006 and 2007.

In contrast to previous years, growth in bioethanol fuel consumption was steadier (up 31.9 per cent between 2008 and 2009) than that of biodiesel (up 19.9 per cent between 2008 and 2009). The collapse of vegetable oil consumption continued (down 72.3 per cent), which contrasts with the consumption of biogas fuel that has the same properties as natural gas, and is still growing in Sweden (up 23.2 per cent). In Europe, most biofuel used in transport is essentially sourced from biodiesel which accounts for 79.5 per cent of the total energy content, as opposed to 19.3 per cent for bioethanol. The vegetable oil fuel share is becoming negligible (0.9 per cent) and for the moment the biogas fuel share is specific to one country: Sweden (0.3 per cent).

Besides the 2009 realisations for each EU Member State, other subjects that are discussed in the new Barometer are: selected country reviews; renewable energy policies; industry overview and projections to the year 2010.