Expectations on flexible bioenergy in different countries – Report published

Task 44’s new report, “Expectations on flexible bioenergy in different countries,” builds on the earlier study on implementation and highlights how national ambitions for the energy transition shape the future role of flexible bioenergy. Survey responses from experts in 14 countries and the European Commission show strong agreement that policies—both national and international—are essential for scaling flexible bioenergy, though contradictions and regulatory barriers still hinder progress in several countries. While flexible bioenergy is widely recognized as a key contributor to energy security, system stability, and decarbonization of hard‑to‑abate sectors, it remains unevenly represented in national strategies, often overshadowed by broader renewable energy goals or uncertainties in biomass availability. Many countries see strong synergies between flexible bioenergy and green hydrogen across value chains, technologies, business models, and GHG mitigation. However, uncertainties around resource availability, sectoral needs, and competition with emerging technologies underscore the need for clearer definitions of flexibility, improved market design, targeted demonstrations, and strengthened international coordination. These findings, together with insights from the previous implementation report, will be synthesized in an upcoming standalone summary document.