Uniper and Turkish energy company Biotrend Enerji have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to assess the production and potential export of biomethane from Türkiye to European markets.
The partners will explore converting Biotrend's existing waste-based biogas plants to produce renewable gas.
Türkiye is estimated to hold untapped biomethane potential of up to 50 terawatt-hours a year. Biotrend, part of Doğanlar Holding and a major Turkish waste-management and landfill operator, has an existing portfolio offering estimated biomethane production potential of around 1.4 terawatt-hours a year.
The partners will assess whether Biotrend's existing biogas-to-power facilities can be upgraded to produce biomethane from organic waste. Uniper will contribute its experience in sourcing and commercialising renewable gases, alongside expertise in sustainability standards, certification and regulation.
Subject to the necessary Turkish regulation and European certification, the biomethane produced could be injected into the Turkish gas grid, transported toward Greece or Bulgaria, and imported into the European Union.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Hendrik Wüst, Minister-President of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and Hakan Göral, Group CEO of Doğanlar Holding, in Istanbul.
Michael Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of Uniper, said the cooperation supports the company's wider strategy on renewable gas. "European industry needs reliable and competitive options to reduce emissions. Biomethane can use existing gas infrastructure and be supplied to customers without requiring fundamental changes to their processes. The cooperation with Biotrend could open up a new source of renewable gas for European markets while further diversifying Uniper's portfolio."
Hakan Göral, Group CEO of Doğanlar Holding, said the partnership builds on Biotrend's existing operational base. "Biomethane offers significant potential to transform Türkiye's waste and biogas resources into a higher-value renewable gas source. Through the Memorandum of Understanding with Uniper, we intend to explore opportunities for biomethane production in Türkiye and the potential to access European markets. Biotrend's operational experience in waste management and biogas provides a strong foundation for assessing this potential."
For Uniper, the project would add to a growing European biomethane portfolio. The company has already secured future supplies from three Spanish plants and operates an integrated biomethane-to-bio-LNG supply chain using existing infrastructure at the Gate terminal in Rotterdam.
The Memorandum of Understanding covers the initial project-development phase only and does not constitute an investment or offtake decision. Any future projects will depend on regulation, certification, and technical and commercial viability.
