Bioenergy Europe releases 2023 Statistical Report Biogas

In Belgium, Bioenergy Europe recently released its 2023 Statistical Report Biogas in collaboration with the European Biogas Association (EBA). The report dives into the recent trends for consumption and production of biogas and biomethane in Europe. Its accompanying Policy Brief presents the most relevant legislative recommendations for promoting the biogas sector as a key player in the EU’s energy transition.

In 2021, the European biogas market continued its growth path, with biomethane growing 20% year-on-year and reaching 15.075 ktoe in terms of gross inland energy consumption of combined biogas and biomethane. Despite significant differences among EU27 countries, this corresponds to an average share of 10% of total bioenergy gross inland consumption. Though in 2021 the main share of biogas went towards electricity generation, considering current growth patterns and policies, upgrading to biomethane will become the norm in the future. Indeed, it’s worth noting that production has never been higher than in 2021, even if concentrated in the

biomethane sector: most of the newly installed anaerobic digestion plants upgraded from biogas to biomethane, with a total of 18.4 bcm of biogases being produced.

While the deployment of new biomethane operations continues, coherent policies which ensure the renewability of all sustainable bioenergy solutions and which create a proper framework for solid biomass, biogas and biomethane are necessary in order to reach the REPowerEU biomethane target of 35 bcm. To achieve this goal, a mandatory target in the Gas Decarbonisation Regulation would send the right signal to investors.