Newsletter May 2026
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, amongst other things, the publication of the dena analyses in the context of the Building Modernisation Act, the expansion of bio-LNG by EnviTec Biogas, and the Biogasrat+ e. V.’s review of the government’s first year in office.
Further information on the Biogaspartnership project and our partners can be found at www.biogaspartner.de
NEWS
Survey for the 2026 Biomethane Industry Barometer launched
In 2026, we would once again like to use the Biomethane Industry Barometer to keep you informed about current developments and sentiment within the German biomethane sector. As the Industry Barometer relies on your experience and assessment of current market conditions, we would ask you to share your views and knowledge with us by taking part in the survey. You can take part in the survey for the 'Biomethane Industry Barometer' until 30 June 2026.
Link to survey (D)
Analyses in the context of the German Building Modernisation Act
The dena analyses in the context of the Building Modernisation Act (GModG) examine the potential for and demand for green gases and oils in the building sector, as well as the role of energy prices in investment decisions within this sector. The analyses provide figures and data on demand trends and potential in the building sector. They relate to biomethane, bio-oil and hydrogen. The focus is on the rising demand driven by regulation, necessary supply expansions and available biomass potential in Germany and Europe.
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GENERATION
The biomethane sector takes stock after the government’s first year in office
Biogasrat+ e. V. takes stock: following the government’s first year in office, the biomethane sector sees both positives and negatives, according to its own assessment. In their view, positive signals from the coalition agreement continue to be offset by hesitant political implementation. In particular, the specific details of the amendment to the Energy Industry Act (EnWG), the Building Modernisation Act, the Power Plant Strategy, the Grid Package and the Renewable Energy Act (EEG) are seen as crucial for the sector’s future direction. At the same time, the sector points to a lack of planning and investment certainty, inadequate economic conditions and complex approval processes as factors holding it back. Biogasrat+ e.V. is calling on the federal government to set the right course so that biomethane can make a greater contribution to the supply of electricity, heating and transport.
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OrgWaste2Fuel – a German-Polish cooperation project
The OrgWaste2Fuel project focuses on the use of biogenic waste materials to produce biomethane and biomethanol, particularly in rural areas along the German-Polish border. The aim is to establish a cross-border bioeconomy region in which biomethane replaces natural gas in transport and heating. The project is led by Stralsund University of Applied Sciences as the lead partner, in collaboration with Neubrandenburg University of Applied Sciences, other universities, research institutions and industry partners from the agriculture and waste management sectors, as well as local authorities from Germany and Poland. The project will investigate biomass potential and innovative technological concepts for the production, storage and distribution of biomethane, with a view to supporting decentralised biofuel supply chains along the German-Polish border region.
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Thyssengas Dialogue: Biomethane – from grid connection to market ramp-up
At the 5th Thyssengas Dialogue, around 150 representatives from the biomethane sector discussed, among other things, how biomethane can be fed into the grid via existing gas infrastructure and thus made available for industry, heating and other applications. The focus was therefore less on a theoretical discussion and more on the question of how biomethane can be implemented more effectively through the interplay of infrastructure, demand and framework conditions. A recording of the event is available online here.
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The future of biomethane in Stralsund remains uncertain
In Stralsund, biomethane is already being produced from regional feedstocks, processed to natural gas quality and fed into the gas grid at a rate of 33 GWh per year. However, the volumes produced cover only part of Stadtwerke Stralsund’s requirements; additional volumes are procured on the market. Against the backdrop of the current key issues paper, key questions regarding future framework conditions, investment security and grid access remain unresolved. An expansion of biomethane production appears feasible in principle, but depends largely on the specific details of the energy market design.
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MOBILITY
Bio-LNG expansion in Holdorf boosts supply
EnviTec Biogas, one of Germany’s largest biogas producers, has opened a new bio-LNG filling station in Holdorf, in the southern Oldenburg region, thereby expanding its nationwide network for heavy goods vehicles. The site benefits from its connection to the A1 and B 214 motorways, as well as from existing truck stop infrastructure; at the same time, EnviTec covers the entire value chain from biomethane processing to the marketing of the fuel. According to the company, it produces around 500 GWh of fuel-grade biomethane annually. With up to 30,000 kg of LNG storage capacity and two refuelling units, the facility is primarily intended to provide a regional alternative to fossil fuels.
Focus on tax relief for biomethane in Germany
Federal Minister for Agriculture Alois Rainer has called for a complete tax exemption for biofuels, specifically mentioning biomethane produced in biogas plants. In his view, this could make domestic use more attractive and stimulate production in Germany. Rainer links biomethane to the objectives of security of supply, reduced dependence on imports and regional value creation. He is critical of plans to end support for small biogas plants under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG).
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Alternative propulsion systems: Biomethane gains ground in heavy goods transport
According to market data, bio-CNG and bio-LNG are continuing to grow in importance in the heavy goods transport sector, reaching new highs in Germany by 2025. At 286,000 tonnes of biomethane, sales have quadrupled within five years, with the logistics sector in particular driving this growth. At the same time, the number of gas-powered lorries in the heavy-duty segment is significantly higher than that of electric and hydrogen lorries. For many fleets, biomethane therefore appears to be particularly relevant where cost-effectiveness, availability and predictable routes come together
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HEAT
The potential for biomethane in Lower Saxony’s heating supply
A brief study by the DVGW shows that, in seven districts of Lower Saxony, the existing biogas plants would, in theory, be sufficient to meet all heating needs using biomethane. Lower Saxony has around 1,700 biogas plants, but only a small proportion of the biogas has so far been processed into biomethane and fed into the gas grid. Nationwide, the researchers see corresponding heating potential in 34 districts, yet the distribution of the plants remains very uneven. This brings the issue of better framework conditions and greater investment security for feeding biomethane into the grid to the fore.
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INTERNATIONAL
SG | Anew Climate links biomethane with its Asian business
Anew Climate, a leading global provider of diverse climate solutions, is further expanding its biomethane and bio-LNG business through its new office in Singapore. The office is set to serve as a regional hub, connecting the growing demand for low-emission fuels and carbon credits in Asia with offerings from Europe. With a particular focus on shipping and international markets, the company aims to drive forward the marketing and structuring of long-term contracts. The establishment of this local presence also brings the connection between Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region into sharper focus.
HU | Biomethane expansion in Szarvas takes shape
The Hungarian oil and gas group MOL is expanding the biogas plant in Szarvas, Hungary, with a processing unit for the production of biomethane. Once completed by the end of the year, as planned, over 7 million m³ of biomethane is expected to be produced annually and fed into the gas grid. The plant utilises locally available organic waste and builds on existing infrastructure and agricultural supply chains. The operational experience gained is intended to serve as a basis for further projects and investment decisions.
UA | New bioenergy complex for biogas, biomethane and electricity
In the western Ukrainian region of Ternopil, a bioenergy complex called ‘Sokoliv Energy’ is planned as a joint venture between the OKKO Group – known for operating Ukraine’s largest network of petrol stations – and the agricultural company Hadz. The plant is expected to produce around 3.84 million m³ of biomethane and just under 15 million kWh of electricity annually from manure, maize and rye silage, and grain waste, with gas sales targeted at the EU via a pipeline. The plant in the Ternopil region is intended to contribute, as a medium-sized, agriculture-based project, to ramping up biomethane production and establishing export capacity for the European market.
EU | Biomethane and the circular economy in the EU Fertiliser Framework
The European Commission has adopted its Fertiliser Action Plan, partly in response to the pressures caused by the conflict in the Middle East and the associated dependence on imported raw materials. The plan focuses on circular approaches and promotes the use of digestate as bio-fertiliser, as well as the greater integration of biogas and biomethane into the material cycle. At the same time, regulatory barriers for digestate and waste are to be reduced and markets for circular, bio-based fertilisers facilitated. This brings biomethane more into focus, both as an energy source and as a contributor to decarbonised agriculture and a supply chain with reduced reliance on imports.
NL | Biomethane plants in the Netherlands change hands
Schroders Greencoat, an investment manager specialising in renewable energy, has acquired the biomethane company APF Energy in the Netherlands. The portfolio comprises three operational plants, three under construction and a pipeline of projects. The sites produce biomethane on a large scale from agricultural manure and food waste. In doing so, they make an important contribution to reducing nitrogen emissions associated with the Dutch livestock industry, amongst other things. The acquisition marks a further step in institutional investors gaining a foothold in the biomethane sector and driving forward the decarbonisation of energy systems