EBA: in 2023 Europe produced 22 billion m³ of biogases, including 4.9 billion m³ of biomethane
The 14th statistical report of the European Biogas Association: production of biogases in Europe in 2023 reached 22 billion m³ (about 7% of EU gas consumption), including 4.9 billion m³ of biomethane, with a capacity of 6.4 billion m³/year at the beginning of 2024.
Other language versions: polski.
The European Biogas Association (EBA) published data from its 14th statistical report on 5 December 2024: in 2023 Europe produced 22 billion m³ of biogases, equivalent to about 7% of natural gas consumption in the EU. Biomethane accounted for 4.9 billion m³ and was the fastest-growing segment.
Key figures
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Production of biogas and biomethane (Europe, 2023) | 22 billion m³ |
| Biomethane production | 4.9 billion m³ |
| Biomethane capacity (Q1 2024) | 6.4 billion m³/year |
| Growth of EU biomethane production y/y | 21% |
| Biomethane in transport | 23% |
| Biomethane in buildings | 17% |
| Biomethane in power generation | 15% |
| Biomethane in industry | 13% |
The EBA also reported that in 2023 Europe could have used about 29 Mt of biogenic CO₂ generated during upgrading, equivalent to 71% of EU CO₂ demand in 2022. This is an important thread for power-to-methane projects aimed at using CO₂ from biogas plants, and for capture technologies.
How to read these figures
The report distinguishes biogas (raw, most often burned in cogeneration engines) and biomethane (upgraded to natural gas quality). The values cover the whole of Europe (EU-27 plus the United Kingdom, Norway and other countries), not just the EU. Differences in statistics between sources (EBA, Eurostat, IEA) result from differing definitions and dates. For comparison: according to estimates by the Polish Biomethane Organisation (POB), at the end of 2023 Poland had 388 biogas plants and no biomethane plants.
Significance for the industry in Poland
The EBA data sets the scale: Poland produces biogas at the level of a few percent of European production and has not yet started injecting biomethane into the grid. Germany, France, Denmark, Italy and Sweden are countries where biomethane has become part of the gas market. The key point is that growth results from a combination of state support (tariffs, premiums, contracts for difference), transport obligations and industrial demand. By introducing auctions and contracts for difference and the NFOŚiGW programme, Poland is aiming for a similar combination.
What next
The EBA publishes its report every year in December, so the next edition will make it possible to assess whether the pace of biomethane growth will be maintained. For market analysts, multi-year series are the most useful, rather than single figures: differences in statistics between sources result from differing definitions and dates. It is also worth comparing production data with data on installed capacity and with grid connections.
Sources
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