European biomethane capacity hits 7 bcm – stronger policy support needed to sustain momentum
Brussels, 26/06/2025 – Europe’s biomethane sector is growing, but not fast enough. Installed production capacity hit 7 billion cubic meters (bcm) annually by the end of Q1 2025, up 9% from 2024. Yet growth is beginning to slow, despite investor appetite remaining strong, even slightly higher than last year (€28 billion). This mismatch highlights the urgent need for clear policy strategy on biogases, binding targets as proposed in a recent sector’s call for a 2040 Roadmap, and swift regulatory action to accelerate the sector before momentum fades.
The 2025 Biomethane Investment Outlook, released today by the European Biogas Association (EBA), identifies a growing commitment from the industry, with a total of €28 billion allocated for investment in biomethane production. This marks a growth of €1 billion compared to the investments identified one year ago. The investments are projected to deliver 7.3 bcm/year of biomethane capacity to Europe by 2030, an increase of 1 bcm from last year’s outlook.
The total number of biomethane plants in Europe has also increased from 1,548 to 1,678 between the 2024 and 2025 data collection, as showcased in the latest European Biomethane Map, also released today. 165 new plants began operation during this period, out of which already 56 plants are known to have started operation in the beginning of 2025. This net increase reflects steady expansion of a promising sustainable sector.
France now leads biomethane production in Europe, having overtaken Germany with a 21% higher production share and a threefold advantage in number of plants. In contrast, UK and Germany have almost stagnated primarily due to regulatory uncertainty. Countries like Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden, while significant contributors, have recorded slower year-on-year growth compared to the other top producers.
Countries with the largest biomethane installed capacities (in Nm3/hour)
The average biomethane plant size in Europe is 483 Nm³/h, though there is wide variation across the continent. France, despite its leadership in plant numbers, maintains smaller installations averaging 251 Nm³/h. In contrast, Italy (727 Nm³/h) and Germany (605 Nm³/h) operate larger facilities, contributing more to total capacity. Denmark (1,468 Nm³/h) also features fewer but significantly larger plants. More than 85% of the plants are connected to the gas grid, with 47% feeding into distribution networks and 8% into transport infrastructure.
“Three years ago, REPowerEU plan set a target of 35 bcm of biomethane by 2030, signalling strong political ambition and boosting confidence in the sector. With a long-term potential of at least 150 bcm of biogases, 177 Mt of organic fertilisers, and 120 Mt of biogenic CO₂ by 2050, biogases offer a circular, homegrown solution for Europe’s energy and climate goals. However, this ambition has yet to translate into the accelerated growth. Clear political support is needed. Legal certainty with binding targets, and high-level commitment are essential to unlock the sector’s full potential and ensure biogases deliver further security, sustainability, and competitiveness for Europe.” explained Harmen Dekker, CEO of the EBA.
Contact
Angela Sainz Arnau, EBA Communications Director sainz@europeanbiogas.eu
About the European Biogas Association (EBA)
EBA fully believes in the future potential of renewable gas in Europe. Founded in 2009, the association is committed to the deployment of sustainable biogas and biomethane production and use throughout the continent. EBA counts today on a well-established network that represent over 8,000 stakeholders across Europe, including national associations, companies and research organisations covering the whole biogas and biomethane value chain.
