The use of wood as energy

Abstract

In the last ten years, an important restoration of wood consumption for energy production purposes in Brazil has been taking place, going against a decline tendency initiated in the mid 1900s. For that reason, energy production still represents the greatest demand of wood for a determined application: 61% of the total volume. However, there is still a lot to conquer in the definition and implantation of pragmatic actions for the valorization of this practice in the country. In this paper, quantitative aspects of this application will be discussed, as well as its strategic scope and the request for the definition of actions and plans. Long-felt needs for the consolidation of this important and fundamental application of wood that havent been fulfilled are also pointed out, considering the current debate in which the use of fossil energy sources is being challenged.