diff --git a/doc/release_notes.rst b/doc/release_notes.rst
index a5454c3b..551b8c48 100644
--- a/doc/release_notes.rst
+++ b/doc/release_notes.rst
@@ -316,6 +316,8 @@ Upcoming Release
 
 * Mark downloaded files as ``ancient`` rather than ``protected``.
 
+* Fix file name enconding in optional rule :mod:`build_biomass_transport_costs` depending on the operating system.
+
 PyPSA-Eur 0.10.0 (19th February 2024)
 =====================================
 
diff --git a/scripts/build_biomass_transport_costs.py b/scripts/build_biomass_transport_costs.py
index 9c825c47..085a0f00 100644
--- a/scripts/build_biomass_transport_costs.py
+++ b/scripts/build_biomass_transport_costs.py
@@ -17,20 +17,27 @@ assuming as an approximation energy content of wood pellets
 @author: bw0928
 """
 
+import platform
+
 import pandas as pd
 import tabula as tbl
 
 ENERGY_CONTENT = 4.8  # unit MWh/t (wood pellets)
+system = platform.system()
+encoding = "cp1252" if system == "Windows" else None
 
 
 def get_countries():
-    pandas_options = dict(skiprows=range(6), header=None, index_col=0)
+    pandas_options = dict(
+        skiprows=range(6), header=None, index_col=0, encoding=encoding
+    )
 
     return tbl.read_pdf(
         str(snakemake.input.transport_cost_data),
         pages="145",
         multiple_tables=False,
         pandas_options=pandas_options,
+        encoding=encoding,
     )[0].index
 
 
@@ -41,6 +48,7 @@ def get_cost_per_tkm(page, countries):
         sep=" |,",
         engine="python",
         index_col=False,
+        encoding=encoding,
     )
 
     sc = tbl.read_pdf(
@@ -48,6 +56,7 @@ def get_cost_per_tkm(page, countries):
         pages=page,
         multiple_tables=False,
         pandas_options=pandas_options,
+        encoding=encoding,
     )[0]
     sc.index = countries
     sc.columns = sc.columns.str.replace("€", "EUR")