Italy's state energy agency GSE has selected six gas shippers to purchase 6 TWh of biomethane for the 2026/2027 thermal year, in the first competitive sale of renewable gas withdrawn from producers under the country's incentive schemes.
Enel, Eni and Società Gas Rimini were awarded framework agreements for the lot covering biomethane destined for the transport sector, while Burgo Energia, Iren and Axpo Italia secured the lot for other uses, with results published on Monday.
The tender, launched in June, offered up to 3,000 GWh per lot, each divided into three stocks of 1,000 GWh, for delivery between 1 October 2026 and 30 September 2027. Winning shippers must also guarantee additional availability of 15% of their allocated quantities to accommodate any increases in production.
The volumes comprise biomethane withdrawn by GSE from incentivised producers under Italy's 2018 and 2022 biomethane decrees, which the agency sells on to the market to give the gas a commercial outlet and sustain the offtake mechanism underpinning the support framework. For the first time, the sale bundles the biomethane with its Guarantees of Origin.
Signature of a framework agreement does not automatically entitle shippers to volumes; GSE will allocate individual production plants to the selected operators through specific sales contracts over the course of the agreement.
Italy's National Energy and Climate Plan targets annual biomethane production capacity of 5.7 billion cubic metres by 2030, roughly double current national output.
Italy awards 6 TWh in first commercial biomethane sale to six shippers
