An EU binding biomethane target in the Gas Regulation is critical to support strategic energy autonomy and climate objectives
23 May 2023
The cosignatories represent the value chain of biomethane, from producers to gas infrastructure operators and suppliers, as well as major end-use sectors, such as steelmaking, heating, food and beverage, and transport.
Ahead of the start of the trilogue on the Gas Decarbonisation Package, we call on Member States to support an ambitious and binding EU-level biomethane target of 35 bcm in 2030 in the Gas Regulation, in line with the REPowerEU Plan. Member States would be free to declinate according to their structural characteristics, resources potential and energy transition strategies.
This target, along with enabling conditions for the whole value chain, is critical to contribute to achieving decarbonisation of end uses, deliver on the Union’s 2030 energy and climate objectives and promote energy security:
-35 bcm/year of biomethane by 2030 would significantly contribute to security of supply by replacing 20% of pre-war imported natural gas volumes from Russia. Biomethane is a dispatchable and versatile energy source that can directly be used in existing gas infrastructure, appliances and equipment across sectors (buildings, industries, combined power and heat generation and transport). Its production and use rely on Europe-based, mature technologies and do not create new dependencies on critical raw materials.
– 35 bcm/year of biomethane by 2030 would provide a valuable GHG emission reduction solution for buildings, industrial energy users and fuel suppliers, complementary to renewable electricity and hydrogen. Procurement of biomethane can be done reliably via robust regulated market-based instruments such as Guarantees of Origin and Proofs of Sustainability.
– 35 bcm/year of biomethane by 2030 could also support the competitiveness of energy intensive industries exposed to very high electricity and natural gas prices, as they transition towards more sustainable energy sources.
– 35 bcm/year of biomethane by 2030 would in the short term reduce the carbon intensity of maritime and road transport, space heating and agri-food systems, contributing to their faster and affordable decarbonisation.
– 35 bcm/year of biomethane by 2030 would be a strong incentive to develop the production capacity required to process bio-waste, which must be separately collected by law (as a result of the 2018 Waste Framework Directive), by 1 January 2024 at the latest.
– 35 bcm/year of biomethane by 2030 can be sustainably produced, as the target is consistent with assessments of available sustainable feedstock. The European Commission acknowledged this by including this target in the REPowerEU Plan published in May 2022.
– A binding 35 bcm biomethane target by 2030 will contribute to predictability and investor confidence that are necessary for the biomethane value chain to deliver its full potential and achieve major economy of scale.
The cosignatories propose the introduction of a new article setting an EU binding biomethane target of 35 bcm/year, leaving flexibility to Member States to define national strategies for its achievement.
European industry associations