Using biomass sustainably

Biomass must meet strict sustainability criteria if it is to ensure significant carbon savings compared to fossil fuels.

We want to ensure transparency in our approach and our view on the advantages and challenges of using biomass as part of a sustainable energy system.

What role does biomass play in the Danish energy system? 

Biomass plays a significant role in the Danish energy system. Due to the widespread use of district heating, biomass can be used with very high efficiency yields of up to 90 %, providing an alternative energy source when the sun isn’t shining, or the wind isn’t blowing.  

Capturing and utilising the green biogenic carbon released from biomass also has significant potential in the development of Power-to-X (P2X) projects for the production of green fuels. In general, however, we must be aware of the scale when using certified sustainable biomass.  

We expect that our use of biomass for power generation will decline as other renewable energy sources increase, but that it will continue to play a role in the Danish energy system. This is because it can function both as a storable energy solution supplementing sun and wind, and in P2X. 

We believe our approach works because of the specific design of the Danish energy system, and because we set extremely high requirements for where, how, and what type of biomass we source. We recognise that biomass, while renewable, is a resource we can’t abuse. Otherwise, the climate benefits are lost.  

What are we doing? 

We only source wooden biomass certified as sustainable by independent, third-party certification bodies, in line with Danish legislation. 

Denmark has the most ambitious biomass legislation in Europe, which we believe is absolutely essential for the continued use of biomass. The legislation includes biodiversity, ecosystem, and carbon stock protection as well as high carbon emission reductions. 

Our biomass is sourced from sustainably managed production forests with ongoing reforestation, and we only source wood pellets and chips which come from residues and low-grade wood, most often from sawdust, regular thinning of forests, harvesting residues, or diseased trees.  

How are we doing? 


We carry out continuous work to guarantee and document that 100 % of the the biomass we use is certified as sustainable.

Certified sustainable wooden biomass sourced (%)

Latest updates


We currently operate five combined heat and power (CHP) plants fuelled by biomass, providing district heating and electricity to approximately 400,000 households.

Approximately 94 % of our total biomass consumption comes from wooden biomass, of which 100 % is certified sustainable wooden biomass.

The remaining 6 % comes from residual straw sourced from Danish agriculture.

For more information, please see our CDP report 2024 and read more here:

Key information 


International frameworks

We closely follow international frameworks and organisations that advise on and regulate the use of biomass, including: 

  • EU Renewable Energy Directive
  • UNEP Convention on Biological Diversity
  • Forest Europe: Sustainable Forest Management
  • EU forest and biodiversity strategies for 2030
  • Forest and biomass certification schemes: FSC, PEFC, and SBP 

Governance 

Accountability lies with our Chief Commercial Officer. 

Our sustainability efforts

Energy projects with a net-positive impact on biodiversity

We’ve set the ambition to deliver a net-positive biodiversity impact from all new renewable energy projects we commission from 2030 at the latest.