Potentially of wood used for energy generation through an analysis of sales of the State Forests National Forest Holding

The lack of a clear definition of which types of wood can be used for energy purposes is one of the key reasons for competition over timber resources between households, the wood industry and the energy sector. A major issue at both national and European levels is the underestimation or even unreliability of data regarding energy produced from wood. This study examines the changes in the sales volume of assortments sold by the State Forests National Forest Holding (PGL LP) that can be used for energy purposes and their average prices from 2019−2023. The data source was the State Forests IT System (SILP). Wood assortments considered eligible for energy use were those listed in Order No. 24 of the Director General of the State Forests of 27 April 2021 (S4, M2, S2AP, M2ZE). The data was supplemented with information on the total timber sales by the State Forests and the average selling prices of wood during the analysed period. The combined share of assortments S4, M2, S2AP, and M2ZE in PGL LP’s sales increased from 16% in 2019 to 21% in 2023. Among the examined assortments medium−sized firewood (S4) dominated with its share of total timber sales rising from 7% in 2019 to 11% in 2023. During the analysed period, assortments S2AP and M2ZE, which could be used for the power industry, jointly accounted for 7−9% of the wood sold by PGL LP. In 2022, when average wood prices peaked (PLN 360/m3), the M2ZE and S2AP assortments also increased reaching PLN 183/m3 and PLN 255/m3, respectively. In the case of wood residues in the form of chips (M2ZE), a fivefold increase was recorded compared to 2021. The prices of S4 and M2 assortments decreased over the analysed period. The increase in demand for timber from individual consumers, the wood industry, and the energy sector, particularly in 2022, may have contributed to a sharp rise in wood prices. This situation required intervention by the government and the State Forests which resulted in an increased supply and stabilisation of prices for assortments available for retail sale (S4, M2). Considering the dynamic nature of legislative changes at both national and EU levels and the uncertainty surrounding the future economic outlook, including in the context of political and economic turbulence, the issues addressed in this study gain further relevance and encourage continued research.