Database on biomass based heating

In the Western Balkans region biomass is by far the most important renewable energy source used for heating, covering 42% of the heat demand. However, inefficient and leaky stoves that produce high levels of indoor pollution are used in more than 1.9 million buildings, while 24% of buildings use mainly uncertified small HOBs fuelled with logwood. One of the main causes of inefficiency is that firewood is usually stored for a short period of time and is combusted when it still has a high moisture content. Given these considerations, there is a clear need and opportunity to make biomass-based heating more efficient and sustainable. Promotion of clean and efficient biomass heating solutions can, on the other hand, contribute to private sector development, micro-financing and sustainable forestry.
 

With the support of the Secretariat, the World Bank completed the “Sector Study on Biomass-based heating in the Western Balkans” in October 2017. Financed by the Western Balkans Investments Framework (WBIF), it aims to help Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo*, Montenegro, Serbia, and North Macedonia to identify viable investment options and policy measures to increase the use of biomass for heating in a sustainable manner.  The report outlines a comprehensive roadmap to further improve regulatory, policy and other framework conditions.
 

As a cross-cutting agenda, the scale-up of efficient biomass-based heating will require all actors to become aware of the challenges and solutions. To this end, with the support of the Secretariat, the World Bank initiated a "Public Awareness Raising on Biomass-based Heating in the Western Balkans – Preparation of Awareness Raising Materials, Plans and Conducting of Awareness Raising Roundtable" project, funded by the WBIF.

Key objectives of this project were:

• To develop a consumer awareness material package in order to help build consumers’ confidence in efficient biomass-heating;
• To develop information materials that can be used for information and awareness-raising of decision makers at the policy level;
• To develop educational materials that can be used for information and educational purposes for NGOs and private sector actors.