The achievement of the proposed bioenergy objectives and targets for t
he E.U. (210 M. TOE/year approximate to 12% total gross energy consump
tion by the year 2010) are indeed very challenging. At present, the co
ntribution of bioenergy is 44 M. TOE/year (similar to 3% of the total
consumption). Furthermore, a significant export volume of E.U. bioener
gy technology is expected as high as 6 billion ECU/year (year 2010) wi
th the creation of many new industrial manufacturing SMEs (150-200) an
d about 200,000 direct and indirect new jobs. The recommended high lev
el of bioenergy activity in the E.U, will also open many additional jo
b opportunities (similar to 2 million in a longer term) with specific
investment of about 150,000 - 230,000 ECU/job. The consequent CO2 redu
ction is estimated at 255 million ton/year in the year 2010. The most
promising markets are: the heat, with a contribution of 75 M. TOE/year
is estimated the power generation, with a contribution of 230 TWh/y b
ioethanol/biomethanol (similar to 7 million TOE/year). (C) 1998 Publis
hed by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.