Biomethane: The Path Forward in Europe
Biomethane, a renewable and sustainable energy source, is produced from organic waste. In other words, its production represents a modern approach to waste management, transforming part of urban waste into a tool in the fight against climate change.
As it is chemically identical to natural gas, it can be seamlessly integrated into existing gas networks, facilitating the energy transition.
In 2024, the Member States of the European Union produced around 22 billion cubic metres (232 TWh) of biogas, equivalent to approximately 7% of total gas demand. In the same year, biomethane production reached 5.2 billion cubic metres (54 TWh), reflecting the growing use of biogas to produce a renewable gas capable of directly replacing natural gas.
As such, biomethane has emerged as a vital component of Europe’s energy transition towards a more sustainable and circular economy. Europe is currently the world’s largest producer of biomethane, with significant potential for future expansion.
The European Union’s objective is to increase biomethane production in order to decarbonise our economy, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, and strengthen our energy security.
Biomethane as an Alternative to Reduce Europe’s Dependence on Gas Imports: The AccelerateEU Plan Brings New Momentum
Europe remains heavily dependent on gas imports. Despite its commitment to renewable gases, 89% of the gas consumed in 2025 was imported. In a context marked by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and volatility in energy markets, the need to strengthen domestic production of renewable gases, such as biomethane, is becoming increasingly evident. This dependence on imported energy creates significant economic and geopolitical vulnerabilities. Biomethane offers Europe a solution to reduce its reliance on external energy sources and decrease gas imports.
To address this, the AccelerateEU Plan was introduced. This energy policy, implemented by the European Union, has three main objectives: to end dependence on fossil fuels, address rising energy costs, and accelerate the transition to cleaner energy sources. Through this plan, Europe aims to speed up the transition to clean energy, move away from fossil fuels, and ensure more affordable, secure, and sustainable energy for consumers and businesses across the European Union.
The actions proposed under the AccelerateEU Plan include increasing renewable energy production, electrifying industry, transport and buildings, modernising energy infrastructure, and strengthening investment in low-carbon technologies.
Agricultural Resources and Biomethane
In this context, biomethane plays a significant role as a renewable gas produced from agricultural, livestock, municipal and industrial organic waste, helping to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. Furthermore, it can be integrated into existing gas networks without the need for major adaptations, contributing to the decarbonisation of sectors that are difficult to electrify while simultaneously promoting the circular economy and the recovery of waste.
In addition, biomethane can transform an agricultural liability into an energy asset. It supports the agricultural sector by adding value to waste that is currently considered both a problem and a cost. Besides benefiting agriculture, it also makes a significant contribution to decarbonisation, as the greater the amount of organic waste used in biomethane production, the more methane emissions into the atmosphere are prevented.
Portugal Has Strong Potential for Biomethane Production
Portugal has considerable potential for biomethane production, thanks to its abundance of agricultural, forestry and organic waste resources. However, like many other European countries, it continues to miss an important economic, energy and environmental opportunity.
Over the past year, within the European Union (EU-27), the number of biomethane production plants increased from 1,489 to 1,774, representing growth of 19%. In countries outside the EU, growth was significantly more moderate, rising from 189 to 201 plants, equivalent to approximately 6%.
It is within this context that G3 | Go Green Gas carries out its activities, contributing to the decarbonisation of heavy-duty transport and to strengthening the energy autonomy of Portugal and Europe by promoting biomethane as a renewable alternative to fossil-based fuels.
