Biomass power plants,
mapped.
The catalog has 2,993 operating biomass power plants, 114,016 MW in all. It also marks 45 biomass plants as Retired, with 2,499 MW of capacity. Biomass ranks 8th by operating capacity and represents 1.3% of all operating capacity in the catalog. China leads with 35,238 MW of operating biomass capacity, followed by Brazil and United States. The largest operating biomass facility in the catalog is Drax Power Station (2,676 MW, United Kingdom, recorded start year 1971).
Source: Global Energy Monitor, Global Integrated Power Tracker, March 2026 release II. Catalog content date: .
Source: Global Energy Monitor, Global Integrated Power Tracker, March 2026 release II. Catalog content date: .
Largest biomass plants
Largest operating facilities by installed capacity in the catalog.
Source: Global Energy Monitor, Global Integrated Power Tracker, March 2026 release II. Catalog content date: .
Most biomass capacity by country
Source: Global Energy Monitor, Global Integrated Power Tracker, March 2026 release II. Catalog content date: .
Newest biomass plants
This table includes 10 of the 19 operating plants with a recorded start year of 2025, largest first. The catalog records years, not full commissioning dates.
Source: Global Energy Monitor, Global Integrated Power Tracker, March 2026 release II. Catalog content date: .
Frequently asked questions
How many biomass power plants are tracked in nrgmap?
The catalog tracks 2,993 operating biomass power plants with 114,016 MW in all, representing 1.3% of operating capacity. It also marks 45 plants as Retired, with 2,499 MW of capacity.
What is the largest tracked biomass plant in the world?
The largest operating biomass plant in the catalog is Drax Power Station in United Kingdom, with 2,676 MW of installed capacity and a recorded start year of 1971.
Which country has the most biomass capacity?
China leads with 35,238 MW of operating biomass capacity across 1,071 plants in the catalog. Brazil is second at 17,413 MW.
How old are biomass power plants in the dataset?
Operating biomass plants with a recorded start year in the catalog range from 1900 to 2025. The source records year precision, not full commissioning dates.
How can I explore biomass plants on the map?
Open nrgmap at app.nrgmap.com and use the fuel filter to display biomass plants. Each plant marker shows catalog capacity and recorded start year when available. The operating catalog has biomass plants in 91 countries and territories.