EBA “strongly welcomes” REPowerEU Roadmap

The European Biogas Association (EBA) has strongly welcomed the European Commission’s updated REPowerEU Roadmap, which it called a timely and strategic framework to phase out the EU’s remaining dependence on Russian fossil fuels.
The Roadmap outlines nine targeted actions to reduce and ultimately eliminate the Union’s reliance on Russian gas, oil, and nuclear fuel, an objective fully aligned with the EBA’s mission to accelerate the deployment of sustainable biogases across Europe.
“[The] announcement sends a clear signal: renewable gases will be indispensable to Europe’s energy future,” said Harmen Dekker, CEO of the European Biogas Association. “The Roadmap confirms the long-term role of biogases in the EU’s energy mix.
"However, the sector needs a strong and tangible step forward. Therefore, EBA calls on the Commission to be bold, setting up concrete actions in the upcoming legislative proposals that will follow this Roadmap to fast-track the production and integration of biogases across Member States.”
Dekker added: “Instruments such as a dedicated target for biogases ahead of 2040 and a European Charter for Biogases would provide the clarity and stability needed to support the sector’s growth and investment.”
The European Commission forecasts that gaseous fuels, including biomethane and biogas, will remain essential to the EU energy mix through 2040 and 2050, particularly for hard-to-electrify sectors and as industrial feedstock.
In this context, sustained investment in the deployment of biogases, improved grid access, and harmonised regulatory frameworks will be pivotal to unlock the full potential of renewable gases and their expected contribution to the future energy mix.
According to Commission estimates, total gas consumption in the EU is expected to range between 105 and 155 Mtoe by 2040, and between 70 and 80 Mtoe by 2050.
EBA forecasts that biogases production in the EU could reach 101 bcm by 2040 and 150 bcm by 2050, representing a significant share of the EU’s future energy demand.
“As Europe moves decisively away from Russian energy, we must move equally decisively toward our own affordable and circular alternatives,” said Dekker. “Biogases are uniquely positioned to rise to this challenge, boosting energy security, creating rural jobs, and driving emissions reductions across multiple sectors.”
The European Commission will introduce new legislation requiring Member States to adopt specific national plans to plan and monitor the EU-wide phase-out of Russian gas. These plans should include clear timeline and milestones and address diversification options, as well as technical capabilities to replace Russian gas.
The Commission’s Communication will be followed by the preparation of legislative proposals to implement the Roadmap’s actions. EBA remains committed to working closely with the European Commission, national governments, and industry stakeholders to ensure the roadmap delivers on its promise of a secure, sustainable, and sovereign European energy system.