Sweden: An ambitious proposal for a national biogas strategy

A target of 15 TWh biogas by 2030 and a whole series of prioritized key actions. Those are the main ingredients in the proposed national biogas strategy and the outcome of what has been a unique, across-the-board collaboration with representatives from leading biogas producers, distributors and users.

The proposal emphasizes the numerous societal benefits of biogas, as outlined in a range of climate, environment, employment and export policies, making biogas a unique resource on every level.

“ We propose the government to set a national biogas target of 15 TWh by 2030. An estimated 12 TWh will be needed within the Swedish transport sector and 3 TWh in the industry as the demand for high-value green fuels are increasing, says Anders Mathiasson, head of the Swedish Gas Association.

To achieve the target, it is proposed that the Swedish Government and Parliament decide on a series of prioritized policy instrument:

–    Extend the tax exemption for biogas beyond 2020.

–    Introduce a nationally applicable definition ofenvironmental truck’.

–    Propose a gas-powered bus subsidy.

–    Introduce an investment fund for the production of advanced biofuels.

–    Support biogas that generates double the environmental and societal benefit.

The strategy also emphasizes the importance of biogas becoming an integral part of political initiatives that are already in progress as the EU directive on the deployment of an alternative fuels infrastructure, a Swedish bonus-malus system, continued reduction on benefit tax for company car users who choose a gas-powered vehicle, public procurement etc.

The proposed national biogas strategy has been produced by the Skåne Region, the Swedish Gas Association and the infrastructure company Swedegas in collaboration with a broad-based reference group.

Source: Swedish Gas Association