Book excerpt: This report provides an overview of the potential use of wood residues as feedstock for bioenergy production as part of the transition towards a sustainable and circular forest bioeconomy. While data and examples are abundant from developed countries, a specific focus will be put on the role and potential of wood residue-based energy in developing countries. The study is structured around the following four main objectives, each corresponding to a chapter:- define key terms and concepts related to wood residues and bioenergy value chains (Chapter 2);- characterize the status and trends in renewable energy, modern bioenergy and the forest-based bioeconomy and evaluate the theoretical potential of wood residues for energy (Chapter 3);- determine general success factors, common lessons learned and constraints on the utilization of wood residues for energy (Chapter 4); and- formulate recommendations (Chapter 5).The overall aim is to inform new policies and programmes through the identification of optimal conditions whereby the use of wood residues for energy can offer a competitive alternative to other fuels in developing countries and contribute towards reaching the UN SDGs.