New record for biomethane production in Europe shows EBA/GIE Biomethane Map 2022-2023

May 22, 2023

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Nearly 30% more biomethane plants compared to the 2021’s edition

2022-23’s edition of Biomethane Map showcases the most recent and available data on Europe’s biomethane plants.
It was produced by the European Biogas Association (EBA) and Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE).

“Biomethane production has enjoyed a remarkable growth in the last decade and this upwards trend goes on with a nearly 30% increase in the number of biomethane plants compared to the previous edition of this map. This is a strong signal on the efforts of the industry to scale up production and push for further acceleration to reach the 35 bcm target by 2030 proposed by the European Commission in the REPowerEU plan.” Highlights Harmen Dekker, EBA’s CEO.

“Gas infrastructure operators are determined to support the European Commission’s vision to upscale the biomethane economy. We acknowledge our mission to connect producers to consumers and will ensure that biomethane’s exponential growth keeps thriving. Already today, we store and transport biomethane. It’s good to open the door for more renewable molecules to integrate Europe’s energy system. More biomethane produced at the European level is also good news for EU’s energy independence.”
Complemented Boyana Achovski, GIE Secretary General.

Zoom in on the facts & figures:

• Europe reached a total of 1,322 biomethane-producing facilities by April 2023.
• These 299 new plants represent nearly 30% more than the ones reported in the previous edition of this map in 2021.
• Compared to the previous editions of the map, the number of plants in Europe has steeply increased: 483 plants in the 2018 edition, 729 in the 2020 edition and 1,023 in the 2021 edition.
• 1,174 plants out of the total reported were located by the EBA and displayed on the map launched today.

Europe is already producing over 3.5 bcm of biomethane. This represents a production increase rate of 20% in 2021. An even bigger increase is expected for 2022 where, despite consolidated data not being disclosed, estimations confirm a significant rise in the number of plants and production shares.

Additionally, the data collected for the preparation of this map shows that over 75% of the current plants are already connected to the transport or distribution grids. Regarding feedstock use, a clear trend towards agricultural residues, organic municipal solid waste, and sewage sludge is visible. From 2017, almost no new plants were established to run on monocrops.

Biomethane deployment around Europe

The countries with the strongest growth in their biomethane production in 2021 were France (+ 2,130 GWh), Denmark (+ 1,642 GWh) and Germany (+ 1,553 GWh). In absolute numbers, the largest producers of biomethane in 2021 were Germany (12,753 GWh), the United Kingdom (6,183 GWh), Denmark (5,683 GWh), France (4,337 GWh), the Netherlands (2,374 GWh) and Italy (2,246 GWh).

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About this map

The Biomethane Map is the result of an ongoing collaboration between the EBA and GIE. The map has been built with the support of EBA members, who have provided the necessary data, and the EBA Secretariat. Sources of each country are listed on the map. Data covers active facilities under operation, according to the available data by October 2022. Availability depends on the country. Many more plants are planned or under construction.  Further analysis of the biogas and biomethane markets can be found in the EBA statistical report 2022.

Note to editors

Contact

• Mieke Decorte
  EBA Technical and Project Manager
  decorte@europeanbiogas.eu
  +32 484 63 44 61
• Gabrielle Lelievre
  Communication Advisor
  gabrielle.lelievre@gie.eu
  +32 478 78 34 83

About the EBA

The European Biogas Association (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. EBA counts today on a well-established network of over 250 national organisations, scientific institutes and companies from Europe and beyond.

About GIE

Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) is the association of the gas infrastructure operators of Europe active in transmission, underground storage, and LNG terminals. It represents around 70 member companies from 26 countries. GIE members work and innovate to become the backbone of the new innovative energy system, allowing European citizens to benefit from a secure, efficient, and sustainable energy supply.