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Energy crops

  • Glossary item | Last updated: 14 Mar 2025

Crops dedicated to production of energy. This category comprehends non-food, lignocellulosic crops, belonging to the 2nd generation feedstock. Species included are both herbaceous and woody: miscanthus, switchgrass, reed canary, giant reed, cardoon, willow, poplar and eucalyptus.

Source category: Scientific & Technical Literature


Crops that are unsuitable for human or animal consumption and are grown exclusively or primarily for the purpose of producing biomass for energy purposes in an agricultural rather than a forestry context.

Allen, B., Kretschmer, B., Baldock, D., Menadue, H., Nanni, S., and Tucker, G., 2014, Space for energy crops – assessing the potential contribution to Europe’s energy future. Report produced for BirdLife Europe, European Environmental Bureau and Transport & Environment. IEEP, London.

Source category: Scientific & Technical Literature

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