By 2030 the biomethane sector will supply 20% of Russia’s current gas imports.

AEBIG the Spanish biogas association shares with us the following communiqué issued on March 8 by the European Commission REPowerEU is a decisive step towards the rapid development of the biomethane sector in Europe to eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels, with a greater presence of biomethane and hydrogen. This proposed plan will increase the resilience of the energy system.

According to Harmen Dekker, CEO of the European Biogas Association (EBA), “Europe urgently needs todiversify and reduce its dependence on Russian gas and at the same time intensify the ambition to reach the climate targets. The sector is ready to supply the 35 bcm proposed by the EU by 2030 and calls for the inclusion of this target in the reissue of the Renewable Energy Directive (REDIII), currently under development.

Close collaboration between the European Commission, Member States and the biomethane value chain will be required to ensure immediate action in line with today’s proposals. The biomethane target represents more than 20% of Russia’s current gas imports. By 2050 it will be possible to triple this potential 30%, growing above 100 bcm and covering 30% to 50% of future EU demand.”

The communiqué states that, “To this end, Member States’ CAP strategic plans should channel funding for biomethane produced from sustainable biomass sources, in particular agricultural waste and residues. All available resources and instruments should be mobilized at national and EU level, with public funding designed to produce an attraction of private investment.”

Achieving the objectives presented today will require close collaboration between the public and private sectors to attract capital investment. A significant increase in biomethane production will help to secure affordable, sustainable energy for EU citizens and strengthen the resilience of the EU economy.

For more information: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_1511