New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
Could biogas play an expanding role in the energy mix?
28/5/2025
10 min read
Feature
Biogas is the poor relation of renewables like wind and solar in the energy transition. However, advancements in process technology and plant maintenance are boosting efficiency and reliability, with new regulations encouraging biogas production in Europe and the UK, as well as further afield. New Energy World Features Editor Brian Davis reports.
In May, the European Biogas Association (EBA) unveiled its strategic vision for biogases as a cornerstone of the energy transition, following the release of the REPowerEU Roadmap that recognised the strategic importance of biogases to help remove EU reliance on Russian gas imports.
The EBA is calling for the European Commission (EC) to adopt a ‘binding target’ of about 100bn m3 of biogases by 2040, to help deliver ‘circular, affordable and secure energy for Europe’, said Harmenn Dekker, CEO of the EBA.
That amount would avoid emissions of 483mn t/y of CO2, potentially providing enough energy for about 90 million homes in Europe, as well as over 13.8mn tonnes of organic fertiliser, according to the EBA. Biogases could help reduce fossil gas dependency in industry, heating and transport, while enhancing grid flexibility and balancing intermittent renewables, like wind and solar.