A Dutch biomethane joint venture has received a major government subsidy commitment, taking its total public funding to €180 million and clearing the path to construction.
EemsGas — a 50/50 partnership between sustainable raw materials producer Perpetual Next and Dutch gas infrastructure company Gasunie — has been awarded an SDE++ operating subsidy of €149.8 million by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). Combined with a €30 million DEI+ investment subsidy secured late last year, the project now has substantial public backing for both construction and operations.
The facility, representing a total private investment of €100 million, will be built at the Chemical Park in Delfzijl and is expected to rank among the largest biomethane production sites in the Netherlands. Using gasification technology developed with research partner TNO, the plant will process waste wood into 18 million cubic metres of green gas annually — significantly exceeding the output of conventional biomethane facilities.
The SDE++ subsidy functions as a price floor mechanism, guaranteeing a minimum income level over a fifteen-year production period running from July 2029 to June 2044. Annual payments will vary with prevailing gas market prices.
Rene Buwalda, CEO of Perpetual Next, said the dual subsidy commitment reflected both financial backing and strategic intent. "The plant will make a strong contribution to our country's energy independence and, moreover, will help meet the globally growing demand for biomethane," he said.
Hans Coenen, COO of Gasunie, said the support strengthened the case for gasification as a route to renewable fuel production. "Sustainable molecules have an important role to play in ensuring our security of supply," he added.
Perpetual Next and Gasunie have been developing the project together since 2022. Plans are being finalised ahead of a construction start targeted for 2027, with the plant expected to become operational in 2029.
Biomass gasification plant secures €150 million Dutch green gas subsidy
