Waste-to-Energy and Energy Poverty in the EU

Waste-to-Energy and Energy Poverty in the EU

Waste-to-energy (WtE) is a process to generate energy in the form of electricity and/or heat from the waste, or the processing of waste including biomass resources into a fuel source. WtE has a significant potential in the efforts towards a carbon-neutral goal and reducing the dependence on gas imports in Europe. As the WtE resources mostly come from local sources, it will help to support renewable and clean energy for all. 

 According to the European Commission, the quarterly electricity report highlights the impact of current geopolitical tensions on the EU’s electricity market in the first quarter of 2022 and affects the rising energy bills both households and industry sectors. In this condition, it will negatively impact people, especially low income families in the EU on energy affordability. 

 Currently estimated that over 34 million people in the European Union are experiencing energy poverty to various degrees, with the most vulnerable demographic groups being the most affected. The energy poverty conditions in the EU are caused by (i) low household incomes; (ii) inefficient buildings and appliances; (iii) specific household energy needs. With the local and renewable energy sources like from biomass, including agriculture and municipal wastes will help to provide electricity for all as affordable energy sources. 

 WtE implementation in more countries will help to tackle rising challenges to energy security in Europe in the future years ahead. Also, by increasing the WtE facility numbers all over countries in Europe will increase the independence and confidence in domestic energy resources. WtE resources as mentioned above will not only come from municipal waste sources but also can come from other sources like agriculture, farms and industrial which we can call biomass. WtE will help to ease energy issues in the EU and provide affordable energy for all. 

 Together with the DESUWOW project will keep promoting the implementation of Waste-to-Energy practices in the lens of biomass sources through education and skills development. The project provides some resources regarding the biomass to energy process. The project will support the target groups having better knowledge and understanding about the needed skills and technical knowledge for the biomass to energy process and implementation.

References;

1.https://ec.europa.eu/info/news/high-volatility-and-geopolitical-tensions-impact-electricity-and-gas-market-developments-q1-2022-2022-jul-08_en
2.https://energy-poverty.ec.europa.eu/energy-poverty-observatory/what-energy-poverty_en