Background Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been linked to changing climate patterns which pose considerable environmental challenges for EU Member States. The speed at which these changes are taking place is generating socio-economic impacts that are already detectable, and that are increasingly affecting disadvantaged areas. Objectives The LIFE BIOBALE project aims to have a significant impact on GHG reductions by developing an innovative combustion system. This will allow for the first time the use of large granulometry (forest bales) biomass with no pre-treatment. The system will also include an organic Rankine cycle (a mathematical model that is used to predict the performance of steam engines) for the conversion to electricity, which will incorporate new components such as a new design of expansor, based on compression equipment, and a wing condensator optimised specifically for this application. This technology will aim to eliminate potentially dangerous and environmentally aggressive processes taking place in the biomass treatment, such as milling and splintering, which produce high powder emissions and noise generation, and have been the cause of serious and even mortal accidents among operators. The intermediate storage of milled biomass will also be avoided, hence reducing risk of fire by self-combustion. Expected results: The project’s main results include: A cogeneration demonstration plant for the combustion of forestry biomass bales with large granulometry, and for the electricity conversion through an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC); The new technology will lead to a reduction in the plant operation costs of up to 50% with respect to other biomass cogeneration plants using conventional pellets. Savings will also be made from the use of a biomass (forestry waste) which can be as much as eight times cheaper than conventional sources; Generation of 670 000 kWh of electric energy and at least 1000 MWh of thermal energy annually from sustainable and renewable energy sources such as forest biomass, to be used in public municipal installations; Reduced GHG emsissions of 690 tonnes CO2/year, as well as SO2 emissions in 1267 kg/year and NOx in 784 kg/year.