Considering the ambitious goals to increase the share of renewable energies in the heat, power and transport sector, wood energy plays an important role in Germany´s energy transition. However, various wood market outlooks and scenarios describe the limitations of wood mobilization in Germany. This could result in rising wood prices as well as in higher competition among wood fuel consumers.

In this context the paper deals with the question which wood energy conversion pathways is most competitive in Germany. With regard to the feedstock prices the competitiveness of various wood fuel conversion pathways is assessed. Applying the concept of ceiling prices, combined heat and power plants are relatively vulnerable to increasing wood prices. The ceiling prices of synthetic biofuels already reach high levels. However, their market entry depends on many other aspects. If fossil fuel prices continue to rise, heat provision from woody biomass remains a very attractive option in Germany. But, different types of wood fractions are suitable as wood fuels and an analysis of wood fuel qualities and prices gives some more insights in the economic viability of wood energy pathways and their possible role in Germany´s energy transition.