Last week, CNVP Kosovo led a multi-stakeholder delegation to the 8th Central European Biomass Conference (CEBC2026), held from 21–23 January 2026 in Graz, Austria. As one of the world’s leading events in the bioenergy sector, CEBC2026 brought together more than 1,400 participants from over 50 countries, including policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, development partners, and practitioners shaping the future of renewable energy.

CNVP’s participation was part of ongoing efforts to promote sustainable biomass and bioenergy solutions in Kosovo, with a strong focus on wood biomass as a key contributor to the energy transition and climate neutrality goals in Europe and the Western Balkans.

The Kosovo delegation, headed by CNVP Kosovo, included mayors from the municipalities of Deçan, Viti, Kamenica, and Podujeva, general secretary of the Ministry of Economy, private sector companies Feniks-A and NTSH Dardani, the head of the District Heating System in Gjakova, and CNVP’s partners ICEP, the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), AgrarPlus, and Aste Energy.

CNVP Session: Advancing the Biomass Sector in Kosovo

A key highlight of CNVP’s participation was a dedicated session on advancing the biomass sector in Kosovo, organized and led by CNVP Kosovo. The session brought together industry experts, investors, and development partners to discuss opportunities, challenges, and concrete pathways for developing Kosovo’s wood biomass sector.

The session opened with welcome remarks from Leonita Shabani Mullarama, Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy and Xhevat Lushi, Country Director of CNVP Kosovo. Presentations focused on investment potential, policy frameworks, and practical implementation, including:

• The potential of biomass production and Kosovo–Austria business relations, presented by Christoph Aste (Aste Energy)
• The Kosovo Roadmap on Wood Biomass and feasibility studies for municipalities, presented by Josef Petchko (AgrarPlus) and Egzon Tahirukaj (CNVP Kosovo)
• Public-private partnerships and pathways for biomass heating investments, presented by Christian Schober (Austrian Development Agency)

The session highlighted Kosovo’s growing readiness for biomass-based district heating, supported by feasibility studies, technical guidelines, and increasing interest from international partners.

Throughout the conference, the delegation actively engaged in plenary sessions, technical panels, and the exhibition area, exchanging experiences with European counterparts and exploring partnerships that support Kosovo’s transition toward sustainable, locally sourced energy solutions.

The opening plenary sessions of CEBC2026 set a strong tone for the event, highlighting bioenergy’s strategic role in Europe’s energy and climate policies. Scientific, political, and institutional representatives from the Austrian Biomass Association, BOKU University, the European Commission (DG Energy), and Austrian federal and regional authorities emphasized the importance of bioenergy in building a resilient and climate-neutral energy system.

Discussions addressed real-world challenges in implementing energy and climate policies, the latest research findings in bioenergy, and the role of the bioeconomy and regrowth in achieving long-term sustainability. The plenary concluded with the Wood Energy Award, recognizing innovation and excellence in the wood energy sector.

Promoting Kosovo as a Destination for Sustainable Biomass Investments

Across the conference, CNVP representatives engaged with EU institutions, technology providers, researchers, and investors, showcasing Kosovo’s progress in the wood biomass sector and the concrete results achieved through the SUNREED project, implemented by CNVP Kosovo and financed by the Embassy of Sweden in Prishtina (Sida).

By participating in CEBC2026, CNVP reinforced its role as a bridge between policy, municipalities, and the private sector, promoting sustainable energy solutions that contribute to local economic development, reduced emissions, and improved energy security in Kosovo.

CNVP’s active engagement at CEBC2026 demonstrated that wood biomass can play a vital role in Kosovo’s energy transition, while strengthening regional cooperation and positioning Kosovo within the broader European bioenergy landscape.