WERN Network launched to promote Bioenergy sector

On Wednesday 9 September, the new WERN network was launched. This network was established to promote the use of biomass to aid the European energy transition. While an important part of this transition, the potential of wood energy has not yet been fully realized.

The regions of Bavaria, Castilla-La Mancha, Styria and Castilla y León therefore decided to join forces and announce the Wood Energy Regions Network (WERN) – an initiative of European regions dedicated to further developing this potential and strengthening the role of wood energy across Europe.

For example, Castilla y León produces approximately two and a half times more energy than it consumes, contributing to Spain’s energy security. In this context, biomass plays a key role, as the region manufactures a third of Spain’s wood pellets.  

The regional government has committed to developing an additional 100 kilometers of renewable heating networks, effectively doubling their current extent. These infrastructures will supply approximately 30,000 homes and over 325 public buildings, consume nearly 160,000 tons of forest biomass annually, and prevent the emission of around 90,000 tons of CO2 per year. By 2030, the sector could mobilize over €1 billion in investments in Castile and León.

This will not only help the climate targets and energy transition, but will help creating local business models to generate the money needed to invest in forest resilience and biodiversity development, as well as preventing rural abandonment.