European Parliament endorses 35 bcm binding target for biomethane in EU Gas Package

Brussels 09/02/23 – Today, the European Parliament  adopted its position on the Gas Decarbonisation Package. The European Biogas Association (EBA) welcomes the inclusion of 2030 mandatory biomethane target in the regulation.

“If EU institutions give green light to this proposal, the 35 bcm biomethane target would finally anchor in binding legislation the REPowerEU Plan’s ambition. Based on reasonable and solid estimation of sustainable feedstock availability, achieving 35 bcm of biomethane in the EU by 2030 would significantly contribute to security of supply by replacing 20% imported natural gas volumes from Russia before the Ukraine war.” Explains Giulia Cancian, Secretary General of the EBA.

The Package voted today takes stock of the Biomethane Action Plan and includes the requirement for Member States to set-up national biomethane strategies and to ensure regional mapping of highest production potential areas. This mapping exercise should inform the national strategies and the network planning carried out by the grid operators. National biomethane strategies shall provide a long-term perspective for the biomethane sector and guidance for investors.

The EBA also welcomes the adoption of EU-wide rules facilitating an accelerated, steep growth of biomethane integration in the gas network after 2025. Although essential for biomethane cost-effective delivery to consumers, access to the gas network currently represents a challenge for project developers. The European Parliament’s report improves the Commission's proposal on the right to inject, by setting, among other provisions, time limits for delivering the network connection requested by project developers.

The EBA regrets, though, that an agreement was not found on provisions addressing the costs of network access for project developers. A cost-sharing principle with gas network operators would decrease the investment cost for biomethane producers. Regulatory authorities can be empowered to tailor this principle to national circumstances while monitoring its effectiveness and its limited impact on tariffs.

Contact

• Angela Sainz – EBA Communications Manager,
  +32 483071046  sainz@europeanbiogas.eu
• Anthony Lorin – EBA Policy Officer lorin@europeanbiogas.eu

About the European Biogas Association (EBA)

The EBA is the voice of renewable gas in Europe. Founded in February 2009, the association is committed to the active promotion of the deployment of sustainable biogas and biomethane production and use throughout the continent. The association counts today on a well-established network representing the whole biogas and biomethane value chain.

About biogas and biomethane

Biogas is produced from the decomposition of organic materials. These residues are placed in a biogas digester in the absence of oxygen. With the help of a range of bacteria, organic matter breaks down, releasing a blend of gases: 45 – 85 vol% methane (CH4) and 25 – 50 vol% carbon dioxide (CO2). The output is a renewable gas which can be used for multiple applications.

Biomethane – purified biogas – is a renewable alternative to natural gas. Its multiple applications include heat and power supply for our buildings and industries, and renewable fuel production for the transport sector.