The global biomass power market size was valued at USD 148.53 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 157.44 billion in 2026 to USD 250.94 billion by 2034, registering a CAGR of 6% during the forecast period from 2026 to 2034. Europe dominated the biomass power market with a market share of 36.4% in 2025.
Biomass power is an alternative source of electricity generated from organic waste such as scrap lumber, forest debris, and agricultural harvest waste that are usually dumped in landfills, burned, or left as fodder for forest fires. These natural materials generate clean, renewable electricity while limiting carbon emissions and safeguarding the environment against the hazardous effects of greenhouse gases. Biomass also improves forest health, protects air quality, and offers a reliable renewable energy source. The global biomass power market is segmented by technology, feedstock, and regions.
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Biomass Power Is Moving Toward Carbon Capture Integration
The Biomass Power Market is increasingly connecting electricity generation with carbon capture and storage. Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, or BECCS, captures carbon dioxide released when sustainably sourced biomass is converted into energy and stores it permanently. This changes the role of some biomass plants from renewable electricity suppliers toward facilities that could also deliver engineered carbon removals. Governments are developing policy and regulatory frameworks to assess this model, while existing plants offer infrastructure that may support conversion. The trend could create additional demand for biomass generation where projects can demonstrate sustainable feedstock sourcing, high capture rates, reliable electricity output, and verifiable long-term carbon storage.
In August 2026, the UK Environment Agency granted Drax Power an environmental permit variation to incorporate carbon capture at its bioenergy plant near Selby, Yorkshire.
Need for Dispatchable Renewable Electricity Supports Biomass Generation
The ability to produce electricity when required remains an important driver for biomass power. Solar and wind generation vary with weather conditions, whereas biomass plants can store fuel and schedule generation according to power-system needs. This gives biomass a different role within renewable portfolios, particularly where grids require controllable capacity alongside expanding variable renewables. Biomass facilities can also use established steam-turbine infrastructure and, in some cases, converted thermal-power assets. Although wind and solar are expanding much faster globally, the need for dependable low-carbon generation keeps biomass relevant in selected electricity systems. Its future value increasingly depends on sustainability performance, operational flexibility, feedstock availability, and its contribution to energy security.
In May 2025, UK government information submitted for subsidy review stated that large-scale biomass plants provided around 5% of UK electricity generation and contributed reliable, dispatchable power.
Stricter Sustainability Rules Increase Feedstock Compliance Costs
Biomass electricity is renewable only when its feedstocks satisfy appropriate sustainability requirements, making sourcing and verification major restraints. Operators may need to document where biomass originates, demonstrate land-use compliance, calculate greenhouse-gas performance, and maintain auditable supply-chain information. These requirements increase administrative and monitoring costs, particularly for plants sourcing material internationally. Poor reporting can also create regulatory and reputational risks even when fuel meets underlying sustainability criteria. As governments strengthen biomass policies, generators must invest in traceability and monitoring rather than focusing only on fuel price and availability. These controls can make biomass power more complex to operate compared with renewable technologies that do not require continuous physical fuel supply chains.
In March 2025, Ofgem reiterated that UK biomass generators above 1 MW must demonstrate that more than 70% of their biomass each month comes from sustainable sources under land-use criteria.
Circular Bioeconomy Can Create New Local Biomass Supply Chains
A major opportunity lies in connecting biomass power more closely with circular bioeconomy systems. Agricultural residues, forestry by-products, organic waste, and other biological resources can potentially supply energy while creating additional income streams for rural producers and waste-management businesses. Developing local feedstock networks can also reduce dependence on long-distance biomass imports and improve the economic value retained within producing regions. This creates opportunities for smaller distributed power facilities, combined heat-and-power projects, feedstock processors, logistics providers, and technology companies. Future projects that integrate electricity production with sustainable resource management could gain stronger policy support where governments want renewable energy development to contribute simultaneously to rural economies, waste utilization, and industrial decarbonization.
In November 2025, the European Commission launched its new Bioeconomy Strategy, emphasizing sustainable biomass supply, circular uses of biological resources, and new income opportunities for farmers and foresters.
Biomass Must Compete as Wind and Solar Scale Faster
Biomass power faces the challenge of maintaining its economic role as solar and wind add electricity at increasingly large scale. Unlike these technologies, biomass plants continuously require feedstock purchasing, transportation, storage, handling, and combustion operations. This means their value increasingly depends on services that variable renewables cannot always provide, including dispatchable output, waste utilization, combined heat and power, or potentially carbon removal through BECCS. Policymakers must therefore balance these system benefits against fuel costs, emissions, sustainability requirements, and consumer support. Biomass generators that cannot demonstrate additional system value may face stronger competitive pressure as electricity systems obtain a growing share of generation from lower-operating-cost renewable technologies.
In 2025, global renewable electricity generation rose about 8.5%, while solar PV alone added roughly 600 TWh, illustrating the increasingly strong competitive environment facing other renewable generation technologies.
Combustion held the largest share of the biomass power market, accounting for 64.8% of the market in 2025 with a value of USD 96.25 billion. The segment is projected to expand at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period. Its leading position is supported by the widespread use of direct combustion technologies for converting wood, agricultural residues, and other biomass materials into heat and electricity. Established infrastructure, relatively straightforward operating processes, and suitability for large-scale power generation continue to support adoption. Growing demand for renewable electricity and efforts to utilize agricultural and forestry waste for energy production are further strengthening the combustion segment.
The Anaerobic Digestion and Gasification segments are also contributing to the expansion of the biomass power market. Anaerobic digestion is increasingly adopted for converting organic waste, agricultural residues, and other biodegradable materials into biogas for power generation. Gasification is gaining strong momentum as industries seek efficient technologies capable of converting solid biomass into combustible gas for energy production. Growing interest in waste-to-energy solutions, resource efficiency, and cleaner energy technologies continues to support the development of these biomass conversion methods.
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Biogas is expected to witness the fastest growth in the biomass power market, registering a CAGR of 7.6% during the forecast period. Increasing utilization of agricultural waste, food waste, sewage, and other organic materials for biogas production is supporting the expansion of this segment. Biogas provides a renewable energy source that can be used for electricity generation while supporting organic waste management and reducing dependence on conventional fuels. Expanding anaerobic digestion infrastructure and growing emphasis on circular economy practices are encouraging greater utilization of biogas for power generation across municipal, agricultural, and industrial applications.
The Solid Biofuel and Liquid Biofuel segments continue to contribute significantly to market expansion. Solid biofuels remain widely used in biomass power facilities because of the availability of wood residues, pellets, agricultural waste, and other combustible biomass resources. Liquid biofuels also support renewable energy applications where transportability, storage flexibility, and compatibility with suitable power generation systems are important. Increasing focus on renewable energy diversification and sustainable utilization of biological resources continues to support demand across these feedstock categories.
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Europe dominated the biomass power market with the largest 36.4% market share in 2025, representing a market value of USD 54.06 billion. The region is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period. Its leadership is supported by increasing adoption of renewable energy, established biomass-based electricity generation infrastructure, and growing utilization of agricultural residues, forestry materials, and organic waste for energy production. Utilities and industrial operators are increasingly integrating biomass into renewable energy portfolios to diversify energy sources and improve resource utilization. Continued investment in renewable power infrastructure and waste-to-energy applications strengthens Europe’s position in the global biomass power market.
Germany remains an important contributor to the biomass power market in Europe due to its established renewable energy sector and extensive experience with bioenergy technologies. Biomass power facilities utilize agricultural residues, forestry materials, organic waste, and other suitable feedstocks for electricity and heat generation. Combined heat and power applications provide additional opportunities for improving the utilization of biomass resources across industrial and community energy systems. Growing emphasis on renewable energy integration and efficient waste utilization encourages continued development of bioenergy infrastructure. Investment in efficient conversion technologies and sustainable feedstock management continues to support Germany's role within the European biomass power market.
The United Kingdom is a significant contributor to the biomass power market as utilities and energy developers continue incorporating biomass into renewable electricity generation. Biomass facilities use suitable organic materials and processed feedstocks to provide dispatchable renewable power that can complement variable renewable energy sources. Conversion and modernization of existing generation infrastructure have also created opportunities for biomass utilization. Increasing emphasis on responsible feedstock sourcing and efficient power generation is influencing project development and operational strategies. Continued investment in renewable energy infrastructure and diversified electricity generation supports the United Kingdom's contribution to the European biomass power market.
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Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region in the biomass power market and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 8.2% during the forecast period. The region accounted for 28.7% of the global market in 2025, representing a market value of USD 42.63 billion. Growth is supported by rising electricity demand, increasing renewable energy investment, and broad availability of agricultural and forestry residues. Biomass power projects are gaining importance as countries seek additional renewable generation capacity while improving management of organic waste. Expanding industrial activity and continued development of decentralized energy systems further support strong growth of the biomass power market across the region.
Japan is an important contributor to the biomass power market due to its focus on diversifying energy sources and expanding renewable electricity generation. Power producers are utilizing biomass technologies to complement solar, wind, and other renewable resources while supporting more stable electricity generation. Various organic materials and processed biomass fuels can be used across dedicated power plants and combined heat and power applications. Energy companies are also focusing on efficient conversion technologies and reliable feedstock supply arrangements to support plant operations. Continued development of renewable energy infrastructure and interest in diversified power generation strengthen Japan's contribution to the Asia Pacific biomass power market.
China plays a major role in the biomass power market through its large agricultural sector, extensive availability of organic residues, and continued expansion of renewable energy infrastructure. Biomass power projects provide opportunities to convert agricultural waste, forestry residues, and other organic materials into useful electricity while improving waste management. Development of distributed generation and combined heat and power systems is expanding potential applications across industrial and rural areas. Growing electricity requirements and continued investment in renewable energy technologies encourage further project development. Expansion of bioenergy infrastructure and improved utilization of domestic biomass resources reinforce China's importance within the Asia Pacific biomass power market.
North America accounted for 22.6% of the global biomass power market in 2025, reaching a market value of USD 33.57 billion. The region is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period. Market development is supported by established forestry and agricultural industries, increasing renewable energy adoption, and growing utilization of organic waste for electricity generation. Biomass power plants can provide dispatchable renewable electricity while supporting waste management and resource recovery activities. Continued modernization of power infrastructure and development of combined heat and power applications are creating additional opportunities and supporting expansion of the biomass power market across North America.
The United States remains the primary contributor to the biomass power market in North America due to its extensive agricultural and forestry resources and established renewable energy industry. Power producers utilize wood residues, agricultural materials, organic waste, and other biomass feedstocks across electricity and combined heat and power applications. Industrial facilities can also use biomass energy to reduce reliance on conventional fuels while utilizing locally available residues. Improvements in conversion technologies and feedstock management are supporting more efficient plant operations. Continued investment in renewable generation, waste utilization, and decentralized energy systems supports long-term development of the country's biomass power market.
Canada is strengthening its position in the biomass power market through its extensive forestry resources and growing interest in renewable energy generation. Forestry residues, wood processing by-products, agricultural materials, and organic waste provide potential feedstocks for electricity and combined heat and power production. Biomass technologies can be particularly useful for industrial facilities and communities seeking locally available renewable energy sources. Continued development of efficient combustion, cogeneration, and waste utilization technologies is improving potential applications. Growing emphasis on renewable electricity and responsible utilization of forestry resources supports the continued development of Canada's biomass power market.
Latin America represented 7.4% of the global biomass power market in 2025, with a market value of USD 10.99 billion. The region is expected to register a CAGR of 6.7% during the forecast period. Growth is supported by abundant agricultural resources, expanding renewable electricity requirements, and increasing utilization of industrial and agricultural residues for power generation. Biomass projects provide opportunities to convert organic by-products into electricity while supporting more efficient waste management. Continued development of agricultural processing industries and investment in renewable generation infrastructure are expanding potential applications. These factors strengthen the regional biomass power market.
Brazil is an important contributor to the biomass power market in Latin America due to its large agricultural industry and extensive availability of biomass resources. Agricultural processing residues, particularly materials generated by major crop-based industries, provide opportunities for electricity and combined heat and power production. Industrial operators can use biomass generation to meet internal energy requirements while supplying additional renewable electricity where appropriate. Growing emphasis on diversified renewable generation and efficient utilization of agricultural by-products continues to encourage bioenergy development. Brazil's established agricultural supply chains and experience with bioenergy technologies reinforce its importance within the regional biomass power market.
The Middle East and Africa accounted for 4.9% of the global biomass power market in 2025, representing a market value of USD 7.28 billion. The region is projected to expand at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period. Market development is supported by growing renewable energy investment, increasing electricity requirements, and greater interest in converting agricultural and municipal organic waste into useful energy. Biomass projects can support both electricity generation and improved waste management across suitable locations. Continued development of renewable power infrastructure and increasing attention to diversified energy sources support the long-term expansion of the biomass power market across the region.
The UAE is emerging as a contributor to the biomass power market within the Middle East and Africa through its broader focus on renewable energy diversification and advanced waste management. Opportunities for biomass-based generation are closely connected with the utilization of organic and municipal waste streams for energy recovery. Waste-to-energy infrastructure can support more efficient resource management while contributing to diversified electricity production. The country's emphasis on modern infrastructure, sustainability, and technology-driven energy solutions creates a supportive environment for advanced conversion technologies. Continued investment in renewable energy and integrated waste management supports the UAE's role in the regional biomass power market.
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Author's Details
Research Head
Ismail Sutaria is a market intelligence and strategy professional with over 12 years of experience advising organizations across the chemicals, packaging, industrial machinery, and energy & power sectors. He specializes in delivering data-driven market assessments, commercial due diligence, industry benchmarking, demand forecasting, competitive strategy, and growth advisory that enable businesses to make confident investment and expansion decisions in complex industrial markets.
His expertise spans specialty and commodity chemicals, advanced and sustainable packaging solutions, industrial automation, manufacturing equipment, process engineering, renewable energy, conventional power generation, electrical infrastructure, and industrial technologies. Ismail has developed deep domain knowledge in evaluating market ecosystems, technology evolution, regulatory frameworks, supply-demand dynamics, pricing trends, value chain structures, and competitive landscapes across global and regional markets.
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