The biomass-to-energy sector experiences its strongest annual capacity increase since 2018, signalling a significant shift towards standardisation, industrial integration, and broader global deployment as it approaches 109GW by 2034.
Global biomass fuel capacity is continuing to expand, and the latest market data suggest the sector is moving from steady growth into a more sustained build-out. A study by ecoprog cited by Renewable Energy Magazine found that the biomass-to-energy market added more than 3GW of new capacity in 2025, the strongest annual increase since 2018. Roughly 180 new plants came online, taking the global total to more than 5,800 facilities with combined electricity generation capacity of 94.7GW.
That momentum matters for industrial decarbonisation because biomass remains one of the few renewable fuels that can be integrated into existing energy and heat systems at scale. Europe continued to attract the largest share of investment, while Asia led in new installations, underlining the technology’s broad geographic reach and its usefulness in markets with different policy drivers, feedstock profiles and industrial demand.
The appeal of a modern biomass pellet plant lies in its ability to convert a wide range of organic residues into a standardised fuel product. Wood chips, sawdust, forestry residues, straw, husks and other agricultural by-products can all be processed into pellets, giving producers flexibility to match local feedstock availability with commercial demand. For operators, that flexibility is increasingly important as buyers place greater emphasis on traceability, sustainability certification and consistent fuel quality.
In practical terms, pellet manufacturing is a sequence of tightly controlled stages. Incoming material is inspected for moisture, contamination and particle size before being crushed, dried, ground and conditioned ahead of pelletisation. Drying is especially critical, as excess moisture can weaken pellet durability and reduce combustion performance. After compression in the pellet mill, the product is cooled, screened and sent either to bulk storage or packaging, depending on the end market.
As the market matures, quality expectations have risen. Industrial customers now want pellets that meet tighter specifications for ash content, durability, moisture and energy density, particularly where the fuel is used in power generation, district heating or industrial boilers. That is pushing manufacturers towards higher levels of automation, better process control and more efficient drying systems.
The economics are also broadening beyond the fuel itself. Plant construction creates demand across engineering, logistics and manufacturing, while ongoing operations support maintenance, administration and local transport services. In rural supply chains, biomass projects can provide additional income for foresters, farmers and other raw material suppliers, helping to anchor industrial activity in resource-rich regions.
Looking ahead, ecoprog expects the global biomass-to-energy fleet to continue growing, with the number of plants rising towards 6,800 by 2034 and combined capacity approaching 109GW. For industrial users and project developers alike, that points to a market that is becoming larger, more standardised and more integrated into the wider energy transition.
- http://prsync.com/henan-richi-machinery/biomass-fuel-capacity-continues-to-expand-5187979/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/biomass/biomass-to-energy-2025-emerges-as-a-strong-year-with-over-3-gw-of-capacity-added-20260121 – In 2025, the global Biomass to Energy (BtE) market experienced significant growth, adding over 3 GW of new capacity, marking the strongest expansion since 2018. Asia led in new installations, while Europe remained the primary region for investments. The study by ecoprog highlights that approximately 180 new BtE plants were established, bringing the total number to over 5,800 worldwide, with a combined electricity generation capacity of 94.7 GW. Projections indicate further growth, with an expected increase to around 6,800 BtE plants by 2034, totaling nearly 109 GW.
- https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/biomass/biomass-to-energy-2025-emerges-as-a-strong-year-with-over-3-gw-of-capacity-added-20260121 – In 2025, the global Biomass to Energy (BtE) market experienced significant growth, adding over 3 GW of new capacity, marking the strongest expansion since 2018. Asia led in new installations, while Europe remained the primary region for investments. The study by ecoprog highlights that approximately 180 new BtE plants were established, bringing the total number to over 5,800 worldwide, with a combined electricity generation capacity of 94.7 GW. Projections indicate further growth, with an expected increase to around 6,800 BtE plants by 2034, totaling nearly 109 GW.
- https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/biomass/biomass-to-energy-2025-emerges-as-a-strong-year-with-over-3-gw-of-capacity-added-20260121 – In 2025, the global Biomass to Energy (BtE) market experienced significant growth, adding over 3 GW of new capacity, marking the strongest expansion since 2018. Asia led in new installations, while Europe remained the primary region for investments. The study by ecoprog highlights that approximately 180 new BtE plants were established, bringing the total number to over 5,800 worldwide, with a combined electricity generation capacity of 94.7 GW. Projections indicate further growth, with an expected increase to around 6,800 BtE plants by 2034, totaling nearly 109 GW.
- https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/biomass/biomass-to-energy-2025-emerges-as-a-strong-year-with-over-3-gw-of-capacity-added-20260121 – In 2025, the global Biomass to Energy (BtE) market experienced significant growth, adding over 3 GW of new capacity, marking the strongest expansion since 2018. Asia led in new installations, while Europe remained the primary region for investments. The study by ecoprog highlights that approximately 180 new BtE plants were established, bringing the total number to over 5,800 worldwide, with a combined electricity generation capacity of 94.7 GW. Projections indicate further growth, with an expected increase to around 6,800 BtE plants by 2034, totaling nearly 109 GW.
- https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/biomass/biomass-to-energy-2025-emerges-as-a-strong-year-with-over-3-gw-of-capacity-added-20260121 – In 2025, the global Biomass to Energy (BtE) market experienced significant growth, adding over 3 GW of new capacity, marking the strongest expansion since 2018. Asia led in new installations, while Europe remained the primary region for investments. The study by ecoprog highlights that approximately 180 new BtE plants were established, bringing the total number to over 5,800 worldwide, with a combined electricity generation capacity of 94.7 GW. Projections indicate further growth, with an expected increase to around 6,800 BtE plants by 2034, totaling nearly 109 GW.
- https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/biomass/biomass-to-energy-2025-emerges-as-a-strong-year-with-over-3-gw-of-capacity-added-20260121 – In 2025, the global Biomass to Energy (BtE) market experienced significant growth, adding over 3 GW of new capacity, marking the strongest expansion since 2018. Asia led in new installations, while Europe remained the primary region for investments. The study by ecoprog highlights that approximately 180 new BtE plants were established, bringing the total number to over 5,800 worldwide, with a combined electricity generation capacity of 94.7 GW. Projections indicate further growth, with an expected increase to around 6,800 BtE plants by 2034, totaling nearly 109 GW.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article references a press release by ecoprog GmbH dated 21 January 2026, which is the earliest known publication of the information. The content appears to be original, with no evidence of prior publication. However, the article was published on 3 June 2026, over four months after the original press release, which may affect its freshness. Additionally, the article includes detailed explanations of biomass pellet manufacturing processes, which are not present in the original press release, suggesting added value. Nonetheless, the inclusion of this information raises questions about the article’s originality and potential recycling of content. The presence of detailed technical explanations not found in the original press release suggests that the article may have been repurposed or expanded upon, which could impact its originality. Given these factors, the freshness score is moderate.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article does not contain any direct quotes. The information is paraphrased from the ecoprog GmbH press release dated 21 January 2026. The absence of direct quotes suggests that the content is not directly reused from other sources. However, the lack of direct quotes also means that the information cannot be independently verified through external sources. This reliance on paraphrased content from a single source raises concerns about the article’s verifiability.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The primary source of the article is a press release by ecoprog GmbH, a company that provides market studies and consulting services. While ecoprog GmbH is a known entity in the industry, its press releases are self-published and may present information with a promotional bias. The article also references Renewable Energy Magazine, which is an online publication focusing on renewable energy news. However, the credibility of Renewable Energy Magazine is not well-established, and it may not be considered a highly reliable source. The reliance on a press release and a less-established publication raises concerns about the overall reliability of the information presented.
Plausibility check
Score:
7
Notes:
The claims made in the article align with industry trends, such as the expansion of biomass-to-energy capacity and the dominance of Asia in new installations. However, the article does not provide specific data or references to support these claims, making it difficult to assess their accuracy. The lack of supporting details from reputable sources raises questions about the plausibility of the claims. Additionally, the article includes technical explanations of biomass pellet manufacturing processes, which are not present in the original press release. While these explanations add depth to the article, they also introduce potential inconsistencies and raise questions about the article’s originality.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article presents information primarily sourced from a press release by ecoprog GmbH, with additional technical explanations not found in the original release. The reliance on a single, self-published source without independent verification raises concerns about the article’s reliability and originality. The inclusion of detailed technical content not present in the original press release suggests potential recycling of content, further impacting the article’s credibility. Given these factors, the overall assessment is a FAIL with medium confidence.
