German Biogas Association designing the future strategy
The German Biogas Association met in Göttingen, where they assessed the sustainability of existing installations falling away from the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) from 2021, as well as the development of the industry through the construction of new biogas plants.
“There are over 8 000 biogas plants in Germany that are able to meet the demands of a new electricity market design,” explains the Secretary General of the Association, Dr. Claudius da Costa Gomez. “It would be absurd if we don’t keep using the existing installations,” says da Costa Gomez. “After 20 years of operation biogas plants are not only reliable but also cost-effective.”
To get concrete thoughts about the continued operation of their equipment, operators would need to see a clear perspective, so that investment in flexible power generation or the safety system can be feasible. But not only existing operators are concerned. Even those farmers who are new to the biogas market, need a clear framework that will help them with their calculations. Since the Federal Government favours the tendering model for the construction of new power plants, the Association has thus developed concrete proposals. These will be presented in early May to the ministries. “We have understood what the politicians want and this led to practical proposals. Now it’s the politics that should pave the way for the power supply of the future”, says da Costa Gomez.
In order to take more part in discussions with politicians in finding a common stand, the developed measures were also presented in the Federal Bioenergy Association (BBE) and the German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE), in order to optimize cooperation within the bodies related to German biogas. The bodies representing the German Biogas clearly welcome these efforts towards a narrow and clearly defined cooperation among the associations. “We want and need to talk more in the future than in the past with one common voice and also need to talk to governing bodies not only about electricity, but also heat and mobility” summarizes da Costa Gomez.
