Not just ‘hygge’: Bioenergy provides the heat Norway needs in times of crisis

Recently, Europe experienced one of its largest blackouts in history, as vast areas of Spain and Portugal were plunged into darkness, affecting over tens of millions of people. What would happen if Norway faced a similar large-scale power outage in the depths of winter? Would we be prepared?
One major foreseeable issue would be heating of our homes.

In Norway, 80% of the electricity used in households are used for heating, so losing power in winter would be critical. The cause of Spain’s major blackout was multifaceted, and a similar event in Norway is not unlikely. Latest threat assessments have highlighted an increased risk of sabotage targeting Norwegian energy infrastructure. In addition, extreme weather, which is the most common cause for power outages, will occur more often due to the changing climate caused by global warming.

It’s clear we need to be prepared – but how can we cover our heating needs, even in times of crisis?

Bioenergy is the answer. It is a local, flexible, and renewable energy source which can be used to heat homes and prepare food independently of electricity. Bioenergy can even provide heat to entire towns through district heating systems, and it plays a crucial role in strengthening our everyday energy supply – as well as being a valuable by-product of waste management.

However, it is a vastly underused option in Norway today.

Bioenergy is the conversion of biomass into heat and/or secondary fuels such as synthesis gas, liquid fuels, or biochar. When producing heat, the most natural choice is ‘direct combustion’, i.e. burning. This ranges from the cozy warmth of a wood-fired stove in your house or cottage, to using residues like waste wood or household waste (with a high biomass content) in waste incineration plants. While the image of biomass combustion has suffered in recent years due to e.g. its similarities to fossil fuels combustion, burning biomass is in comparison an environmentally smart choice – because it is based on renewable biomass resources and therefore recycles carbon already circulating in the biosphere.

The untapped potential of bioenergy

In Sweden, 39% of total energy consumed stems from bioenergy and over 30% of Finland’s energy supply comes from biomass. Meanwhile, bioenergy only makes up around 7.4% of the total energy consumption in Norway.

Of course, Norway’s energy situation is very different from our neighbours as we in comparison enjoy an abundance of hydropower. However, this gives a false sense of security. Our energy system is not infallible. In recent years, prolonged dry periods have put pressure on Norway’s hydropower systems and contributed significantly to the sharp rise in energy prices. It is apparent that being energy-rich does not ensure energy security.

We therefore cannot ignore underutilised opportunities of renewable energy, especially as energy demand in Norway grows, and because the use of fossil fuels must be phased out. As mentioned, almost 80% of the electricity used in households goes towards heating – but we could free up a large part of that electricity by making use of the bioenergy we already possess.

Norwegian forests, likely one of the most obvious sources for bioenergy to many, grow more biomass per year than is being harvested. In addition, logging residues such as branches and tops are left in the forest, where about a third needs to remain to maintain soil nutrients. The remainder could be retrieved for heat production.

In total, Norwegian forests have the potential to contribute with 29 TWh energy annually but only half of this potential is currently utilised. Our Nordic neighbours Finland and Sweden have roughly double the amount of forested area, but more than six times the use of bioenergy, mostly in connection with their well-developed wood-based industries, e.g. pulp and paper.

In addition to that, we have 700,000 tons of waste wood every year in Norway. Around half can be recycled, and the other half incinerated for heat production – but not in Norway. Most of Norway’s waste wood is exported to Sweden; a missed opportunity as this waste could keep tens of thousands of Norwegian homes warm.

And that’s just woody biomass. The total bioenergy potential in Norway is estimated to be at least 40 TWh annually.

How do we unlock the potential of bioenergy in Norway?

Despite its many benefits, bioenergy remains underused and undervalued in Norway’s energy policy. It is often overlooked in national energy strategies, where wind, hydro, and electrification dominate the agenda.

If we want to unlock the full value of bioenergy, we must treat it as a strategic asset at a national scale – not just a rural tradition or niche solution, but a core pillar or Norway’s broader energy and preparedness strategy.

Bioenergy delivers space heating, industrial heat, both centralised and decentralised, and at different scales. It provides vital energy security when other systems are strained or disrupted.

To realise this potential, policy and investment frameworks must change. Norway needs long-term commitment to develop the infrastructure, logistics, and technology needed to scale up modern bioenergy use. Too often, short-term cost concerns block investments that would deliver long-term societal value, from local jobs to waste management, from circular economy gains to pollutant destruction.

Bioenergy may still be seen by some as an old-fashioned way to bring a little hygge to the cabin. But in reality, it’s a modern, multifaceted solution – and a key piece of Norway’s climate-resilient and secure energy future.

The only thing we’re missing is the will to act on it.

This article includes additional contributions from Øyvind Skreiberg and Michaël Becidan.