Can the region of Algarve, in Portugal, be self sustained energetically?

The aim of this study is to analyse the potentialities of bioenergy provision from biomass in the Region of Algarve, in Portugal. The Algarve energy market is based on large share of imported fossil fuels. The inland energy production represents only 2.3% of total electricity consumption and power production from bioresources amounts to only 8.5% of the total energy production. In this study, an estimation of the energy potential from bioresources is made, namely from products, by-products, residues and waste from agriculture, forestry and related industries as well as the non-fossilized and biodegradable organic fractions of industrial and municipal wastes, including gases recovered from the decomposition of non-fossilized and biodegradable organic material. the result of this analysis shows that there are still unused potentials especially from forestry and municipal solid waste. Energy crops can also contribute to achieve the ambitious targets for bioenergy in the Region of Algarve, but a clear European and Portuguese strategy on the use of land surfaces for bioenergy seems to need some additional political push. results also show that bioenergy can reduce electricity consumption by 0.6% and can contribute to as much as 65% of total electricity consumption.