Newsletter December 2025
English version
Welcome to the latest issue of the biogaspartner newsletter - an information service from the German Energy Agency (dena) covering all aspects of biomethane. This newsletter provides information on a new study on the future prospects of the biogas industry, the DAH Group's contribution to the regional heat transition in Brandenburg, and three new biomethane projects by EnviTec Biogas AG.
Further information on the biogas partnership project and our partners can be found at www.biogaspartner.de
The dena and the Biogaspartner team wish you a Merry Christmas and a healthy and successful New Year 2026!
NEWS
Participation in E-World 2026
Meet our biogas partner team on 10 and 11 February 2026 at E-World in Essen! Feel free to approach us and arrange an appointment in advance to discuss your requirements. We look forward to exciting conversations and getting to know you personally.
Save the date | ERGaR ‘European biomethane trading conference’ 2026
The first European biomethane trading fair will take place on 21 April 2026 in Amsterdam, bringing together traders, producers, registries and industry experts to discuss developments in the biomethane market. The programme includes sessions on EU policy, the voluntary market, RED III implementation and the maritime sector. The event offers ideal opportunities for networking and exchange with experts.
GENERATION
Fachverband Biogas and IZES: Study on the future prospects of the biogas industry
The latest study for the German Biogas Association concludes that, depending on the plant portfolio and H₂ addition, biomethane could reach a free potential of between around 50 and 177 TWhth by 2035, offering significantly more than has been taken into account in energy scenarios to date. It shows that even under conservative infrastructure assumptions, a relevant proportion of today's biogas plants are well suited for processing into biomethane and connection to gas or heating networks. At the same time, it becomes clear that, under more realistic price and risk assumptions, biomethane could play a long-term, systemically important role and largely replace natural gas and, in the future, H₂ in electricity, heating, industry and transport. The study thus outlines biomethane as a strategic ‘scarce resource’ that should be used primarily in applications that are difficult to decarbonise – from flexible electricity generation and district heating to chemicals and aviation.
Read more (D)
DAH Group: Biomethane project drives regional heat transition in Putlitz
A new plant for processing biogas into biomethane quality is currently being built in Putlitz in north-western Brandenburg – a joint project between the DAH Group and several regional energy companies. By 2028, around 9.6 million m³ of biomethane per year are to be fed into the grid there, supplying more than 5,000 households. The project is considered a model for the expanded use of biomethane in Brandenburg and combines regional value creation with contributions to the heating transition.
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EnviTec: Three new biomethane projects in Germany
EnviTec Biogas AG has signed three new contracts for gas processing plants in Bavaria, Bremen and Saxony-Anhalt. The company is thus expanding its presence in the German market and manufacturing the plants at its headquarters in Saerbeck. The projects are scheduled to feed biomethane into regional networks from 2026 and offer flexible expansion options. With the new orders, production capacity utilisation at EnviTec remains at a high level.
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MOBILITY
GHG quota: New rules pose challenges for the biomethane industry
With its cabinet decision on the further development of the GHG quota, the German government is implementing key provisions of the RED III Directive and raising the reduction target to 59% by 2040. While new quotas for electricity-based fuels are being introduced and stricter controls on quota trading are planned, the planned abolition of double counting from 2026 onwards is causing concern in the bioenergy industry. Producers of biomethane and bio-LNG in particular fear economic disadvantages and investment risks. The parliamentary process should reveal whether corrections will follow in this regard.
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Draft revision of Annexes V and VI of the RED
The European Commission has launched a consultation on Annexes V and VI of the Renewable Energy Directive, with a deadline of 12 January 2026. The annexes set out the rules for calculating the greenhouse gas balance of biofuels, liquid biofuels and biomass fuels, as well as their fossil fuel comparators. A key change for biomethane is the division of GHG standard values into standard and best practice, and the associated introduction of a new improvement factor based on the reduction of methane emissions, which can be deducted from the emissions caused. The standard practice values refer to the previous Annex VI of the RED without measures to reduce methane slip (e.g. gas-tight fermentation residue storage, low-calorific gas combustion).
HEAT
German GEG becomes GMG (Gebäudemodernisierungsgesetz)
The current Building Energy Act is to be replaced by a more technology-neutral and simpler Building Modernisation Act, for which the federal government intends to present the first key points by the end of January. The Bioenergy Capital Office and other associations see this as an opportunity to improve the regulatory status of biogas, biomethane, bio-oil and wood fuels and are calling for, among other things, adjusted primary energy factors and emission values. The BDEW also emphasises that the heat transition must remain affordable and economically viable, while the German Renewable Energy Federation warns against a mere label change and wants to retain the core content of the previous law.
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INTERNATIONAL
UK | Focus on biomethane – UK invests in grid expansion and new connections
With a £28 billion grid investment package, the United Kingdom is allocating £20 million specifically for the expansion of biomethane connections. The programme aims to reduce industrial energy costs while supporting the transition to more climate-friendly gas networks. Regulators and network operators want to simplify procedures for biomethane access in order to remove barriers to market entry. As Europe's biomethane production continues to grow, the British industry is now at a decisive crossroads.
RS | Biomethane potential in Serbia
A UNDP study shows that Serbia could replace around 6% of its natural gas consumption by 2030 and more than 12% by 2050 through biomethane production from agricultural residues, organic waste and sewage sludge. In transport, biomethane could completely replace fossil natural gas by 2030 without any adjustments to the existing gas infrastructure. The study also highlights advantages such as reduced import dependency and local value creation through digestate as fertiliser. Total investment is estimated at up to €550 million by 2030. With these investments, annual revenues from biomethane production could already exceed €250 million by then.
ES | Biomethane from olive pomace
Pieralisi Spain and Genia Bioenergy have formed a strategic alliance to promote the conversion of olive pomace into biogas and biomethane in olive oil mills in Spain and Portugal. This will enable mills to reduce energy costs, feed biomethane into the gas grid, produce organic fertilisers and optimise the management of agro-industrial by-products. The partnership combines Pieralisi's expertise in centrifugal technology with Genia Bioenergy's expertise in anaerobic digestion and offers comprehensive project management, including gas grid connection. This model is in line with EU decarbonisation strategies and strengthens the circular economy in the olive oil sector.