12th National Associations Roundtable: Key Takeways

The World Biogas Association welcomed national biogas associations from around the globe to the 12th National Associations Roundtable, held on 7 May 2025. The meeting offered a vital opportunity to exchange updates, identify barriers, and strengthen collaboration between associations to support the global growth of the biogas industry.

The following associations attended the meeting:

Key Updates by Region

Europe

Estonia

The Estonian government has made biomethane a high priority for national energy diversification. The Ministry has commissioned studies and is actively working on a roadmap to guide biomethane development. In 2024, the government launched an investment grant scheme offering up to €5 million per project to support CAPEX, resulting in five projects being funded and currently under development. Estonia already operates nine biomethane plants, with five more expected by next year. The country is on track to have 100% of its transport natural gas sourced from biomethane, currently already reaching 60 – 70%.

Spain

Spain faces challenges in permitting and public acceptance of biogas projects. Despite this, around 11 – 12 biomethane plants are already injecting into the grid, with 10 more in advanced stages. Progress is being impeded by community opposition – often linked to concerns over large-scale industrial farming – as well as inconsistent regulations at the provincial level. In several cases, these regulations have recently been tightened, further complicating the permitting process and slowing the pace of project development. Still, investor interest remains strong – boosted by the European Commission’s renewed backing of the REPowerEU initiative.

United Kingdom

The UK has seen a surge in political engagement, with ADBA reporting a significant increase in ministerial meetings and policy discussions over the past six months. ADBA and key stakeholders formed the Green Gas Taskforce to advocate for the inclusion of biogas in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme. Gas network operators are showing growing interest in biomethane as an affordable, scalable solution. Liquid Gas UK raised concerns about an electrification bias in government policy – particularly the strong focus on heat pumps as the main solution for decarbonising heat. This is evident in consultations on the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), affecting the private rented sector. Although renewable liquid gases like bioLNG are mentioned in the UK’s Biomass Strategy, policy uncertainty continues to hold back investment and market growth.

Ireland

Ireland’s Biomethane Strategy targets 5.7 TWh of domestically produced biomethane by 2030. The strategy is backed by a €40 million capital grant scheme from the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility, with 18 projects awarded letters of offer. A key challenge remains the delayed implementation of the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO), which has prevented developers from securing off-take agreements – a crucial step for financing. Ireland currently has two biomethane producers. One of these, which also operated a gas grid injection facility, recently entered receivership following the collapse of the renewable transport fuel certificate market. Their certificates under the Renewable Transport Obligation scheme were displaced by cheaper alternatives from non-EU sources, including unsustainable liquid biofuels from China. A third facility in Dublin is expected to come online by year-end.

North America

Canada

The Canadian Biogas Association is re-engaging with federal departments and elected officials as the political system resets following the election of a new Prime Minister and the reorganisation of government departments. This transitional period presents an opportunity to build new relationships and revive stalled policy discussions. Canada currently has over 300 operational biogas projects, yet this taps into only 14% of its available feedstock potential. The sector continues to face challenges including unclear policy direction, hesitancy among investors, and the absence of a comprehensive national strategy to integrate bioenergy into the clean energy mix.

United States

The American Biogas Council (ABC) reports that the U.S. biogas sector continues to grow rapidly, with over 2,500 systems now operational and a current market value of approximately US$40 billion. However, biogas appears to be in the crosshairs of the new U.S. administration, which has signalled a cooling of support for renewable energy more broadly. While the administration remains supportive of agriculture – the sector most closely aligned with biogas – there are concerns that the political climate could hinder future growth.

The long-term market potential remains significant – up to 20,000 biogas systems and a market value of US$450 billion. In 2024 alone, 125 new biogas systems came online, representing US$3 billion in investment. The vast majority (96%) were developed as renewable natural gas (RNG or ‘biomethane’) projects, underscoring a shift away from electricity generation. Support from major oil and gas companies, combined with legacy tax incentives, continues to buoy the sector. However, two key policy programmes that previously drove growth have diminished in value, prompting developers to explore new markets including e-methanol, CO₂, and maritime fuels. Public awareness is also improving – an ABC-commissioned poll showed support for biogas jumped from 37% to 86% after respondents were given a simple explanation of the technology.

Asia-Pacific

New Zealand

In New Zealand, the biogas market is being shaped largely by fossil fuel producers and distributors who see its potential for enhancing energy security. This is resulting in a demand-driven approach to development, rather than supply-led growth. The country currently has just one operational commercial anaerobic digestion (AD) plant, and plans are underway to establish a demonstration facility. The Bioenergy Association of New Zealand is actively engaging the broader energy sector and will co-host a major event in July alongside the natural gas and shale gas industries.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka remains in the early stages of biogas development, with a primary focus on micro-scale household digesters aimed at improving energy access and clean cooking – a model seen in countries like India, Nepal, China and Vietnam. Interest in biogas has grown since the country’s recent economic crisis, especially as a cleaner, locally available cooking fuel. Approximately 10,000 household digesters are currently in operation. While there are no large-scale biogas projects, five solid biomass plants are connected to the grid under power purchase agreements (3–4 MW total), alongside a handful of incineration projects. A new research centre has been established at a state university, and efforts are under way to launch an academic exchange programme with Bangladesh. The national association, composed mainly of academics, is focusing on research and technology transfer. Rather than building a domestic manufacturing base, Sri Lanka is looking to import proven biogas technologies and collaborate internationally – particularly with India.