The European Commission’s (EC) programme to link buyers and producers of sustainable gas is going through its first round of connecting.
The launch of the Biomethane Mechanism is accompanied by the Regulatory Dashboard, designed to help users navigate and compare biomethane compliance frameworks.
All of this is designed to scale up the production, distribution, and use of biomethane across Europe.
Initially just for selected EU members only
While not every EU country is yet open to use the scheme, the ones that are account for over 90% of the EU’s current biomethane production. With access to this mechanism, regulatory information will be more accessible, and more cross-border opportunities will open in support of the biomethane market.
Through matching rounds, potential buyers will be able to submit their biomethane demand, and suppliers will be able to express interest in meeting that demand. Those that match will be given the relevant information to contact each other and explore, outside the mechanism, their commercial opportunities.
From 4 November to 23 December 2026, interested buyers will be able to submit their biomethane demand requests here, then from 21 January to 4 March 2027, suppliers will be able to express their interest in meeting this demand here.
The matching results will be published on 18 March 2027.
This mechanism was originally launched in June 2026, and is a key initiative under the EU Energy and Raw Materials Platform designed to support the scale up of biomethane production, trade, and investment in Europe.
Investing in biomethane production
In August, the European Biogas Association (EBA) and Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) published data highlighting the expansion of Europe’s biomethane sector, with annual production capacity reaching 8.2 billion cubic metres (bcm) by the end of Q2 2026.
This marks an increase of 17% year-on-year, and is the first time Europe’s installed capacity has exceeded 8 bcm.
Investment commitments rose from €28bn to €36bn as financial backing for projects increased across the continent. At this rate, if all those commitments are met, annual biomethane production capacity will increase by another 9 bcm by 2030.
Biomethane offers an important alternative to fossil fuels, making it both a renewable energy source and a contributor to energy security.
Read more here.
