Wood Mackenzie report says waste-based biofuels could be energy transition key driver

In the UK, waste-based biofuels could be a key driver of the energy transition transforming today’s limited supply of low carbon transportation fuels and creating a local, circular economy, according to a new report by Wood Mackenzie, a Verisk business.

As the world transitions to new, sustainable energy sources, the somewhat neglected biofuel sector may have a crucial part to play. Currently, biofuels only account for 3% of today’s 100 million barrels per day (b/d) liquid fuel demand.

However, developing new technologies that drive biofuel production from municipal waste, agricultural residue and recycling plastics wastes could be a game changer for the energy transition. According to Wood Mackenzie, this could supply an additional 20 million barrels per day (b/d) of liquid biofuel by 2050, so satisfying a quarter of all future liquid fuel demand (95 million b/d in 2050), equivalent to around three quarters of 2050 middle distillate demand.