Increasing costs of fossil fuels, the threat of climate change and the need to increase energy security and access have put alternative renewable energy sources, including bioenergy, high on the development agenda. Compared with other sources of energy, bioenergy potentially oers some developmental advantages. Bioenergy can target and stimulate the agriculture sector, a critical sector for development and poverty reduction, while improving energy access, creating a new market for producers, oering new employment opportunities, and potentially contributing to environmental objectives. Nevertheless, there are concerns regarding the actual viability of the sector and its environmental and socio-economic sustainability, also in terms of potential competition with food security.