Future potential in Canada

There is significant potential to increase the use of biomass energy in Canada, because of our country’s enormous forest resources (we have 10 per cent of the world’s forests) and our large agricultural sector.

Government and industry are exploring the potential of quick-growing crops, such as poplars and willows, that can be planted and harvested as energy crops. They are also collaborating on technology projects to improve the combustion efficiencies of biomass furnaces and wood fireplaces.

It is estimated that wood wastes in Canada alone could produce all of our country’s fuel ethanol needs. The challenge is that these wastes contain wood materials that require special treatment not needed in traditional production of ethanol from grains. Innovative technologies are being developed to produce ethanol from wood, hay, straw and other wastes.