11th National Associations Roundtable: Global Biogas Insights and Opportunities

On 21 February 2025, the World Biogas Association gathered national biogas and bioenergy associations from around the world for the latest 11th National Associations Roundtable to share and discuss key policy developments, market challenges, and growth opportunities. 

The following associations attended the meeting:

Key Updates by Region

Europe

• Ireland: The 2024 National Biomethane Strategy aims for 7.5 TWh of biomethane production. Two major support mechanisms include a 20% capital grant and a Renewable Heat Obligation (effective 1 January 2026). 

• UK: While 750 biogas plants are operational, growth has slowed due to expired support schemes. Without new incentives, 150 plants could shut down by 2030. The UK Emissions Trading Scheme doesn’t currently zero-rate biomethane transported via the gas grid, but there’s growing political support for change. 

• Spain: A new ministry now oversees energy. The government is launching a working group to develop a biomethane framework, while regional governments, like Andalucía, have formed alliances to accelerate project development. 

• Slovakia: With 80 operational biogas plants, the main challenge remains low household biowaste separation, increasing risk of technology damage. Government CAPEX support (€19M for modernization, €17M for biomethane upgrades) has been granted, but financing new biomethane projects remains uncertain due to pricing volatility. 

• Ukraine: 83 biogas plants are in operation, alongside three biomethane plants producing 17M cubic meters annually—two of which are already exporting to Germany. Following lobbying efforts, biomethane exports are now permitted, even though natural gas exports remain banned due to the war.

Americas 

• USA: 2024 was a record year, with 125 new facilities bringing the total to nearly 2,500. However, there is uncertainty under a Trump/Vance administration, especially regarding environmental regulations and waste management policies. The industry is pushing to protect energy credits secured under Biden/Harris and assess potential tariffs on RNG-related (biomethane) equipment. 

• Canada: Close to 50 RNG projects are ongoing, but policy momentum has slowed. Several political parties have pledged to eliminate carbon tax policies, adding uncertainty. The federal government, however, has opened a new clean fuels fund to drive growth. 

• Mexico: The new president’s background in renewables is seen as a positive sign. The industry is actively exploring alternatives to natural gas, as domestic production declines and USA gas imports face restrictions. 

• Brazil: The biggest challenges are financing and poor waste separation. The sector is calling for judicial intervention to ensure organic waste is properly sorted, which is crucial for improving biogas production from landfills.

Asia  

• China: The 2023 government policy to reduce methane emissions is driving growth, especially in agricultural biowaste treatment. The China Biogas Society estimates biomethane potential is 1.7 times greater than 2020’s natural gas imports. A national standard for biogas reporting is also in development.

Africa 

• South Africa: The country’s biogas sector is still young, but two large plants are operational, thanks in part to UN-funded projects. The decommissioning of coal plants could create opportunities for biogas conversion. Additionally, the high cost of importing fertiliser is driving interest in digestate as a biofertiliser alternative.

Oceania  

• New Zealand: There is a growing interest in renewable gas from the government. Moving forward, the goal is to increase public understanding of the industry and the opportunities that AD presents.