BIOMETHAVERSE: The fifth newsletter of the project
Here you will find the latest news from the biomethane, biogas and renewable energy sector. Download the Fifth International Newsletter of the BIOMETHAVERSE project.
BIOMETHAVERSE (Demonstrating and Connecting Production Innovations in the Biomethane Universe) sets out to diversify the technology basis for biomethane production in Europe, increase its cost-effectiveness and contribute to the uptake of biomethane technologies.
To this aim, 5 innovative biomethane production pathways will be demonstrated in five European countries: France, Greece, Italy, Sweden and Ukraine.
The newsletter contains information about the project activities and ideas of the BIOMETHAVERSE research group, as well as news of the project itself, and is also available in two languages: Ukrainian and English.
- View in Ukrainian BIOMETHAVERSE Project International Newsletter No. 5 (March 2025)
- View in English BIOMETHAVERSE Project International Newsletter No. 5 (March 2025)
We advise you to read the newsletter, where you will find information on the synergies of leading biomethane consumers, a report on policy and market recommendations for the deployment of biomethane production in the EU, project news, and the main areas of activity of BIOMETHAVERSE.
Main points from the fifth newsletter
Leading biomethane offtakers have come together in the Biomethane Offtakers Declaration to call for higher support for biomethane production and offtake. Led by the European Biogas Association, this initiative emphasises biomethane’s essential role in achieving Europe’s climate neutrality objectives while ensuring the continent’s global competitiveness.
To unlock the full potential of biomethane, the Declaration outlines key actions:
- Establish Long-Term Targets and Supportive Frameworks.
- Enable Market-Driven Solutions.
- Ensure Political and Institutional Support.
In addition, the Clean Industrial Deal strategy was launched, outlining the European Commission’s plan to address industry competitiveness concerns and economic resilience while still aspiring to reach EU decarbonisation targets.
However, the strategy sets no clear pathway for the role of European-produced biomethane and seems to concentrate on electrification, favouring less competitive low-carbon gases.
On 26 February 2025, BIOMETHAVERSE, HyFuelUp, METHAREN, and SEMPRE-BIO presented their second joint report on policy and market recommendations to deploy biomethane production in the European Union.
The report analyses the gap between countries’ targets and their biomethane production potential. The evaluation originates from the European Commission’s assessment of EU Member States’ updated National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) under the REPowerEU scheme. These plans forecast biogas and biomethane production to reach 30-32 billion cubic metres (bcm) by 2030.
The first Spanish BioCircular SUMMIT took place in Madrid. HyFuelUp was one of the 20 European projects presenting a poster with its most recent advances in the area dedicated to innovation.
News from Ukraine
Ukrainian biomethane hits the gas grid and export market!
The VITAGRO group of companies was the first one constructed a biomethane plant with 3 mcm of annual capacity at the end of 2023. Connection to the GDS took place in October 2024. Currently, the company pumps about 6,000 m3 of biomethane per day. Feedstock for biomethane production is mainly livestock waste.
The second entity starting biomethane pumping into the GDS is Hals Agro company. It has also 3 mcm of biomethane of annual capacity, and the current injection volume is 2,000-3,000 m3 per day. The company commissioned the biomethane plant on the basis of its own biogas plant in spring 2023.
Ukraine is one of the project’s strategic partners and a demonstration site. The importance of replacing natural gas and production of renewable gases, primarily biomethane, increased with the russian invasion of Ukraine. As a result, on February 2, 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Kyiv between the European Union and Ukraine on strategic partnership regarding biomethane, hydrogen and other synthetic gases. This partnership should focus on the green transition and decarbonisation of energy sectors. In particular, it should facilitate the production, trade, transportation, storage and use of biomethane.
The project involves the company MHP Eco Energy, on the basis of which research will be conducted, as well as the team of the Bioenergy Association of Ukraine, whose experts will accompany the project. The biogas plant of MHP Eco Energy has an installed electrical capacity of 12 MW, produces biogas from 330 t/d of chicken manure and other agricultural waste, producing 85,000,000 kWh of electricity per year. Today, the demonstration site has already started its work.
