European Commission and industry leaders launch Biomethane Industrial Partnership to support the 35 bcm target on biomethane by 2030

Brussels, 28 September 2022

The European Commission and industry leaders, committed to the green energy transition, have launched today the Biomethane Industrial Partnership (BIP). This new public-private partnership was announced in the REPowerEU Plan. It aims to support the achievement of the target to increase annual production and use of biomethane to 35 billion cubic metres by 2030. This will reduce Europe’s dependency on natural gas from Russia in a cost-effective way. At the same time, it will substantially contribute to an integrated net-zero energy system, diversifying farmer’s incomes and ensuring a circular approach.

The Biomethane Industrial Partnership is open to all interested stakeholders that wish to work towards achieving its objective. All EU Member States are invited to join the Biomethane Industrial Partnership, together with companies, industry associations, academia and civil society organisations.

Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans and Commissioner Kadri Simson joined Harmen Dekker, CEO of the European Biogas Association, and Ole Hvelplund, CEO of Nature Energy to mark the start of the Biomethane Industrial Partnership by symbolically opening a renewable gas pipeline during the EU Sustainable Energy Week in Brussels.

Executive Vice-President Timmermans said: “Europe has huge potential for the production of biomethane. With biomethane, we can replace fossil gas from Russia with homegrown, sustainable and renewable gas. Biomethane also creates new economic opportunities in rural areas. The Biomethane Industrial Partnership that we launch today will be instrumental to increase the production and use of biomethane across the EU. “ 

Commissioner Simson said: “Europe has great potential for producing biomethane, a green alternative for natural gas. In the current energy supply crisis, we cannot allow this potential to go to waste. The new Biomethane Industrial Partnership is open to all stakeholders to overcome barriers for growth, share best practices and foster collaboration to rapidly increase biomethane in production and use.”
 
EBA CEO Dekker said: “The biomethane sector is ready to meet the 35 bcm target which requires 70 to 80 billion euros of investment. The Biomethane Industrial Partnership will be instrumental in Europe to drive joint efforts to overcome barriers for investment, production and use.”

Nature Energy CEO Hvelplund said: “The companies in the value chain are looking forward to working together to ensure a steep and simultaneous increase in biomethane production, grid-connection and off-take.”

A technical kick-off of the Biomethane Industrial Partnership will take place on 25 October 2022. Please find more information and an application form to join the Biomethane Industrial Partnership on www.bip-europe.eu.