| The EU currently meets 4% of its energy needs from biomass. If it made full use of its potential, it would more than double biomass use by 2010 (from 69 mtoe in 2003 to about 185 mtoe in 2010) – while complying with good agricultural practice, safeguarding sustainable production of biomass and without significantly affecting domestic food production“ (Biomass Action Plan SEC(2005) 1573). As part of the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan the biomass objectives seek to attain “a diversification of Europe’s energy supply, increasing the share of renewable energy by 5% and reducing reliance on imported energy from 48 to 42% (offering) direct employment for up to 250-300 000 people, mostly in rural areas. |