Portugal as a producer of biomass fuels for power production: An analysis of logistics costs associated to wood pellets exportation

This paper aims to study the sector of biomass for energy in Portugal and to analyze the logistics costs associated to the exportation of its product to international markets. The growing concern on environmental impacts associated to fossil fuels contributed to enhance the importance of exploring more sustainable sources of alternative energies. This study enhances the potential of Portugal as a producer and exporter of products from biomass, including wood pellets for energy production comparing to other international players. The use of new processing technologies represents an important driver for the dissemination of biomass fuel forms as an alternative for fossil fuels (gas, petroleum derivatives, coal). However, the adoption of these technologies requires a depth analysis, mainly in terms of economic viability considering the forecasting of supply and supply chains. This study intends to contribute for a better understanding on the supply chain of biomass for energy and particularly the logistics cost associated to the exportation of woods pellets from Portugal to international markets.