European biomethane demand to exceed forecasts

Demand for biomethane in continental Europe is likely to outpace recent forecasts for the next 20 years, delegates heard at a side event at the UN Cop 26 climate conference today.

Consultancy firm Guidehouse forrecasts European biomethane production at 110TWh by 2040, and for demand to surpass the IEA's recent projection of 140TWh as the sector grows. Biomethane production has increased by 17pc/yr since 2017, to 32TWh last year.

Germany was the largest producer at 11TWh, followed by Denmark at 4TWh and then France with 2TWh. The latter has the highest number of biomethane plants with 306, and Germany follows with 242.

Guidehouse pegged bio-LNG production to rise eightfold from current levels to 9.5TWh by 2023, and then to 10.6TWh in 2024, with 77 plants being built in continental Europe by 2024. The Spanish support strategy for biomethane remains under consultation and is likely to be published soon, while there is no support scheme in Greece at present.

Just under 50pc of all biomethane plants in Europe are connected to national gas distribution grids, with reverse flow facilities in place to allow transport. France is leading the way, aiming to have 60 reverse flow facilities by 2028. These are not necessary in all countries, particularly those with well-interconnected distribution grids.

By Justin Colley