European Commission and industry leaders launch Biomethane Industrial Partnership
The Biomethane Industrial Partnership is open to all interested stakeholders that wish to work towards achieving its objective. All EU countries are invited to join the Biomethane Industrial Partnership, together with companies, industry associations, academia and civil society organisations.
Executive Vice President Timmermans and Commissioner Simson joined Harmen Dekker, CEO of the European Biogas Association, and Ole Hvelplund, CEO of Nature Energy, to mark the start of the Biomethane Industrial Partnership by symbolically opening a renewable gas pipeline during the EU Sustainable Energy Week in Brussels.
Executive Vice President Timmermans said: "Europe has huge potential for the production of biomethane. With biomethane, we can replace fossil gas from Russia with homegrown, sustainable and renewable gas. Biomethane also creates new economic opportunities in rural areas. The Biomethane Industrial Partnership that we launch today will be instrumental to increase the production and use of biomethane across the EU."
Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, said: "Europe has great potential for producing biomethane, a green alternative for natural gas. In the current energy supply crisis, we cannot allow this potential to go to waste. The new Biomethane Industrial Partnership is open to all stakeholders to overcome barriers for growth, share best practices and foster collaboration to rapidly increase biomethane in production and use."
Harmen Dekker, CEO of the European Biogas Association, said: "The biomethane sector is ready to meet the 35 bcm target, which requires €70 to 80 billion of investment. The Biomethane Industrial Partnership will be instrumental in Europe to drive joint efforts to overcome barriers for investment, production and use."
Ole Hvelplund, CEO of Nature Energy, said: "The companies in the value chain are looking forward to working together to ensure a steep and simultaneous increase in biomethane production, grid-connection and off-take."