Newsletter June 2026
English version
Welcome to the latest issue of the Biogaspartner Newsletter—an information service provided by the German Energy Agency (dena) focused on biomethane. This newsletter provides updates on, among other things, the latest biogas profitability analyses, further developments regarding the GModG, and the EU’s new trading platform for biogas.
Further information on the Biogaspartnership project and our partners can be found at www.biogaspartner.de
NEWS
Reminder: 2026 Biomethane Industry Barometer Survey
We would like to remind you that the survey for the latest 2026 Biomethane Industry Barometer is currently underway. We invite you to share your experiences, knowledge, and opinions by participating in the survey by June 30, 2026.
Link to survey (D)
GENERATION
Federal Network Agency Awards Contracts for Biomethane for the First Time Since 2022
The Federal Network Agency has awarded contracts for biomethane plants for the first time since October 2022. For a tendered capacity of 61 MW, six bids totaling 38 MW were submitted—all of which were awarded contracts. The maximum price for the tender segment was increased by 10% to 23.13 ct/kWh. The Biomass Package has improved the framework conditions for biomethane plants, but the industry is calling for further adjustments to ensure long-term profitability.
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Federal Environment Agency: Biogas/Biomethane in the 2026 Greenhouse Gas Projections
In its current 2026 greenhouse gas projections, the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) takes into account the emission reductions achieved through the use of biogas and biomethane. Biomethane plays a key role in the energy transition and in achieving climate protection goals, particularly where policy measures in the sectors of heating, transportation, industry, and agriculture influence the demand for and conditions of use of renewable gases.
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EU Commission Launches Digital Biomethane Mechanism for Market Coupling
The European Commission has launched the new biomethane mechanism as a voluntary and free-of-charge matching platform. This innovative tool is designed to break down market barriers by connecting buyers and sellers and providing regulatory dashboards and financing support. In light of geopolitical risks, scaling up European biomethane production is expected to significantly reduce the EU’s dependence on fossil gas imports. The first matching rounds are scheduled for September 2026 to rapidly integrate sustainable projects into the European gas infrastructure.
Biogas Summit Europe Questions Brussels Authorities’ Readiness for the Biomethane Rollout
An editorial poses the provocative question of whether the institutions in Brussels are ready for the rapid rollout of the biogas industry. While the technological maturity and infrastructure compatibility of renewable gases have been fully demonstrated, administrative barriers are holding back market growth. To achieve the ambitious REPowerEU targets, the article calls for a massive acceleration of approval processes and the removal of bureaucratic trade barriers. Only through a reliable and uniform legal framework can the necessary private capital flows be rapidly mobilized for upcoming large-scale projects.
New Meta-Study: Highly Flexible Biogas and Biomethane Power Plants as the Key to Security of Supply
A recent meta-study by Prof. Dr. Jürgen Karl (Chair of Energy Process Engineering at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg) demonstrates that highly flexible biogas storage power plants—including facilities that convert biogas into biomethane—are an indispensable pillar of a secure and affordable energy supply in Germany. By expanding capacity to 12.6 GW by 2030, these plants could generate significant economic benefits of at least 7.8 billion euros annually by replacing fossil natural gas reserves and cushioning electricity price spikes. Biogas and the biomethane produced from it enable particularly flexible and system-supporting utilization. The authors therefore urgently call for improved policy frameworks, particularly in the Electricity Supply Security Act and through an amendment to the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), in order to fully harness the potential of biogas and biomethane use.
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MOBILITY
NOW GmbH: BMV Expert Conference on Climate-Friendly Commercial Vehicles 2026
NOW GmbH (National Organization for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology) is organizing an expert conference on climate-friendly commercial vehicles on November 19, 2026, on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Transport. Biomethane as a fuel for trucks and buses is being discussed as one of the options for advancing the decarbonization of the transportation sector. The focus will be on policy frameworks, economic viability, and practical examples from the logistics sector.
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Transgourmet’s Fleet Conversion as Part of “Rhine-Main Goes Green”
Transgourmet (Germany’s market leader in food service distribution) is undergoing a major overhaul of its logistics fleet at its headquarters in Riedstadt, replacing 40 of its 80 trucks with modern CNG vehicles from Scania. This measure is part of the large-scale regional climate protection initiative “Rhine-Main Goes Green,” which was officially launched on June 16, 2026. By replacing fossil diesel with climate-friendly biogas, the logistics company is cutting CO₂ emissions from local delivery trips in half. The project demonstrates the practical implementation of ambitious climate protection goals directly within the day-to-day operations of the transportation industry.
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HEAT
Federal Council Approves Building Modernization Act with Few Proposed Amendments
Despite strong criticism from environmental groups and bioenergy experts, the Federal Council essentially approved the draft Building Modernization Act on June 12, 2026. A mandatory end date for the operation of fossil fuel heating systems in 2045 failed to gain a majority in the Bundesrat. However, the Bundesrat recommended the introduction of mandatory expert counseling for heating system buyers, as well as far-reaching relief measures for housing companies regarding their climate protection portfolios. The proposed amendments will now proceed to the next round of decision-making at the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
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Constitutional Legal Opinion Finds Planned “Bio-Staircase” Legally Sound
A legal analysis examines the constitutional risks and legal validity of the planned blending requirements for the “Bio-Staircase” in the GModG. The underlying legal opinion concludes that the unequal treatment between sanctioned new installations and uncontaminated existing facilities is consistent with the general principle of equality under the Constitution. Since the legislature is pursuing legitimate climate protection policy objectives and administrative enforceability must be maintained, a rejection by the Federal Constitutional Court is considered unlikely. Owners and companies should therefore align their investments in a timely manner with the implementation of these blending regulations and avoid costly fossil fuel-only solutions.
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EWI Study Warns of Biomethane Shortage Due to GModG Blending Requirements
A study by the Institute for Energy Economics (EWI) shows that future biomethane demand for the planned “biogas ladder” could far exceed market supply. In addition to drastic increases in fuel costs, remaining gas customers face the threat of significantly higher grid fees due to the loss of customers. EWI experts are calling for a transparent and realistic impact assessment to avert the negative economic consequences for private consumers.
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INTERNATIONAL
UA | IEA: The Potential of Biomethane in Ukraine for Energy Security and Decarbonization in Europe
In February 2026, Ukraine launched a national biomethane registry that complies with EU sustainability and certification requirements. Five new biomethane plants with a total capacity of 20 million m³/year are scheduled to begin operations in 2026. Ukraine aims to produce 1 billion m³ of biomethane per year by 2030 to strengthen its energy independence and contribute to European decarbonization. The IEA (International Energy Agency) emphasizes that biomethane imports from Ukraine could play a strategic role for the EU.
IE | EU Criticizes Key Pillar of Ireland’s Biomethane Support Program
A legal status report indicates that the European Commission has raised objections to a core component of Ireland’s planned Renewable Heat Obligation. The Brussels-based authority deemed the national multiplier for biomethane provided for in the plan to be incompatible with EU internal market rules, which is likely to delay the program’s planned launch in 2026. For the Irish government, this decision means it must comprehensively revise the subsidy model to ensure compliance with EU law. This regulatory hurdle significantly limits short-term investment certainty in the Irish agricultural sector and for local producers of biogenic gases.
NL | Rolande Combines Bio-LNG and Electric Charging in Tilburg
In Tilburg, Rolande (a strategic partner for fossil-free heavy-duty transport) has, for the first time, combined bio-LNG and electric charging stations (up to 375 kW) at a single location at its site in Berkel-Enschot. The company now offers freight forwarders and shippers two practical solutions for immediate CO₂ reduction in heavy-duty transport—depending on the application. The infrastructure is already set up for a future expansion to eight charging points.