Commissioned by Enova, Stakeholder AS has together with SINTEF and NMBU produced a three-volume report about biomass availability in Norway. The report will be published in the near future. The main findings were presented at the Bio4Fuels webinar on June 13, 2025.
A recording of the webinar can be found below.
In short, the findings are as follows:
Potential
• We estimate the current theoretical potential at 33 TWh
o Currently we are utilizing half of this
• The forest is by far our largest resource
• Growth is expected toward 2030. Decline by 2050 compared to 2030
• The theoretical potential is driven by markets other than energy and biological factors
Technologies – two main tracks
• Biogas from organic waste
o Biogas production is likely to increase significantly
o The main barrier is collection and logistics
• Biochar and liquid biofuels from forests
o Biochar has economic potential now, with expected growth toward 2030
o Liquid biofuels could be commercially viable by 2035
o Increased economic potential does not necessarily mean increased use of Norwegian biomass
Frame conditions – affecting both supply and demand
• The most important regulation is the Renewable Energy Directive(s)
o Norwegian companies are affected even if it has not been implemented
• Significant growth in demand is expected, driven by the maritime sector and aviation.
o Will more than compensate for the EVs
• For Norwegian biomass, it is primarily forest raw materials that are negatively impacted by stricter regulations