Biomethane investment plans in Europe reach €36 billion — EBA
The European biomethane sector continues to attract significant volumes of capital. According to a new review by the European Biogas Association (EBA), total investment commitments in biomethane production have already reached €36 billion.
This is €8 billion, or nearly 29%, higher than the previous year’s figure, when the EBA reported €28 billion in planned investments.
An additional 9 billion m³ of biomethane per year
If all announced investment projects are implemented, they will provide approximately 9 bcm of new annual biomethane production capacity by 2030.
This will contribute to:
- increasing Europe’s domestic production of renewable gas;
- reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels;
- decarbonizing industry, transport, and heating;
- using existing gas infrastructure efficiently;
- developing a circular economy through the processing of organic waste and residues.
According to the EBA, the growth in investment commitments demonstrates sustained business interest in biomethane projects and significant potential for accelerating the sector.
Investments require stable rules
At the same time, the €36 billion represents announced investment commitments rather than capital already deployed into commissioned facilities. Turning these plans into real production capacity will depend on regulatory conditions across European countries.
Among the key prerequisites for the sector’s growth, the EBA highlights predictable public policy, streamlined permitting procedures, producers’ access to feedstock and gas networks, and clear long-term off-take models for biomethane.
The European market is already showing noticeable growth: installed biomethane production capacity has exceeded 8 bcm per year, with the number of operating plants approaching two thousand. However, development rates vary significantly across countries, pointing to substantial untapped potential.
The takeaway for Ukraine
The European investment trend also creates new opportunities for the Ukrainian biomethane sector. Ukraine possesses a strong feedstock base, a well-developed gas transit infrastructure, and the potential for integration into the European renewable gas market.
To attract investment, Ukraine likewise needs stable market rules, transparent procedures for biomethane verification and export, predictable regulation, and favorable conditions for connecting producers to gas networks.
Under the right conditions, biomethane can become a vital component of economic recovery, decarbonization, and the strengthening of energy security for both Ukraine and Europe.
