Why is the wood energy sector a sector of the future?

In a context of major energy crisis, the wood energy sector was waiting for the Government to make a commitment. The implementation of the tariff shield in October 2021 for gas and electricity, with a budget exceeding 50 billion euros, could almost lead the French to believe that there has been no increase in the price of electricity. and gas.

Even if this shield was very useful for citizens, the wood energy sector and in particular that of wood pellets was, for its part, waiting for government support to help users who had chosen renewable energy.

Since November 25, 2022, "wood" energy has integrated the aid system put in place by the government - voted almost unanimously by the deputies -. With an envelope of 230 million Euros, this energy-wood check will help low-income households who heat with wood.

This government measure is satisfactory. Even if the aid is conditional on a ceiling of resources, it is precious for the budget of the users of this mode of heating.

Indeed, the 8 million people who heat with wood, including 1,7 million with pellets, participate in the collective effort by using renewable, local, clean and carbon-free energy. Wood energy is resolutely in phase with the objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This check is of course a one-off measure in response to recent tensions in the pellet sector which have contributed to sometimes irrational prices, but pellets remain the most economical fuel on the market. The pellet sector is a young and dynamic sector. It creates economic activity in the territories and its rate of development is a pledge of confidence for the future.

It is time to rely on local energies, such as wood pellets, of which we can control the manufacture, the supply and therefore the cost. The wood supply for French granulators is located less than 150 km from the factories, which contributes to the excellent carbon footprint of the pellet.

Fossil fuels and imports such as gas, or indexed to the price of fossil fuels at European level such as electricity are insecure energies because they are highly dependent on other countries. What's more, they are high CO2 emitters.

This is why wood energy has a central role to play in the energy mix and can help France catch up in terms of renewable energy.

The wood pellet sector is delighted to be able to count on the support of the government to help consumers and thus a sector of the future. Pellets are a homogeneous, dense, high-performance fuel that burns in high-tech devices that can be controlled remotely. The wood heating is resolutely modern.

Tribune by Eric Vial, General Delegate of Propellet France (LinkedIn).