European biomethane production hits record high in 2021

Combined biogas and biomethane production in Europe reached just over 200 TWh in 2021, up from 191 TWh in 2020, according to preliminary estimates by the European Biogas Association (EBA).

It said 300 new biomethane plants have started operations in the past 18 months, increasing the overall amount to 1,023. Of that number, 87pc are connected to the gas grid.

France, Italy and Demark recorded the largest increase on the number of plants last year. In France, 123 came online in the first 10 months of 2021, compared with 91 in 2020.

Biomethane could cover up to 30-40pc of EU gas consumption in 2050, with an estimated production of at least 1,000 TWh, according to projections by the EBA. But to ensure biomethane can play an increasingly important role as a renewable fuel, efficient trade should be established across Europe, EBA director Harmen Dekker said.

To simplify the transfer of biomethane and facilitate cross-border trade, registries in Austria, Denmark, the UK, the Netherlands and most recently Germany have joined the European Renewable Gas Registry (ERGaR) Certificate of Origin scheme, a Europe-wide standardised platform.

By Sophie Barthel