The US Energy Information Administration projects downward pressure on biomass electricity output over the next two years, even as renewable energy's overall share of the electricity mix continues to expand.
Renewables are expected to comprise 26 per cent of US electricity generation in 2026, rising to nearly 28 per cent in 2027, compared with 24 per cent in 2025. However, biomass output is forecast to decline within that expanding renewable base.
Biomass electricity generation is projected to fall from 20.5 billion kilowatt hours in 2025 to 20.2 billion kWh in 2026 and 19.9 billion kWh in 2027. This represents a contraction in biomass's share of renewable electricity, from 1.97 per cent in 2025 to 1.78 per cent in 2026 and 1.61 per cent in 2027.
Installed biomass capacity remains static across forecast years. The electric power sector maintains 2.7 GW of waste biomass and 2.1 GW of wood biomass capacity. Industrial sector capacity stands at 5 GW wood biomass and 1.3 GW waste biomass.
Consumption patterns diverge by sector and feedstock type. Industrial wood biomass consumption is projected to increase from 1.3 quads in 2025 to 1.422 quads by 2027. Conversely, power sector wood biomass consumption is forecast to decline from 0.167 quads in 2025 to 0.157 quads in 2027.
Waste biomass consumption across all sectors is expected to track slightly upward, rising from 0.372 quads in 2025 to 0.376 quads by 2027.
US biomass generation forecast to decline through 2027, says EIA
