NIK on biogas: no coherent state action and no chapter on biomethane in KPEiK

The Supreme Audit Office (NIK) has completed an audit on the use of biogas for energy generation, and its results were approved on 23 April 2025 by the NIK Board. The audit bears the reference P/24/059 and covered both the actions of the central administration and selected biogas investments. For the industry, the conclusions concerning state policy planning are important.

Main findings

NIK sent a communication to the Ministry of Climate and Environment, pointing out that the failure to include, in the ministry's periodic activity plans for 2021–2024, any actions for the development of the biogas, agricultural biogas and biomethane industry hindered coherent, coordinated and planned action. In addition, the update of the National Energy and Climate Plan (KPEiK) then being prepared did not contain a separate chapter devoted to biogas and biomethane.

In the case of specific investments, NIK issued several post-audit communications. The implementation of the investment consisting of the construction of an agricultural biogas plant in Iłowiec Wielki was assessed positively; the project in Linne was assessed similarly, although a late submission to the Energy Regulatory Office (URE) of information on an increase in investment aid was found.

What this means

NIK's conclusions are in line with the voice of the industry, which since 2023 had pointed to the lack of a coherent biogas and biomethane strategy. The lack of a chapter on biomethane in KPEiK meant that NFOŚiGW programmes, auctions and grid plans were being developed without a common framework target. Later the draft KPEiK gave values for biomethane in the WAM scenario (about 15.5 TWh in 2030), but the audit itself drew attention to the need for continuity of the ministry's actions.

The audit also has a practical aspect for investors: it indicates that investment support entails reporting obligations towards the regulator – in this case concerning State aid. Delays in submitting information to URE, though formal, may have consequences.

Significance for the industry in Poland

For ministries and government agencies the conclusions are a pointer that biogas development requires a permanent place in action plans, not just individual legislative projects. For biogas plants and investors – that it is worth monitoring work on KPEiK and NFOŚiGW programmes, because the availability of financing depends on their content. At the same time the government is working on amendments concerning biomethane to the act on investments in wind power plants, and the first installations injecting gas into the grid are only now being built.

What next

NIK's communications are not binding, but they form the basis for monitoring the recommendations. The ministry will have to respond to the comments, and the industry expects the conclusions to translate into a separate, clear chapter devoted to biomethane in KPEiK and into faster adoption of the auction system. Investors should watch whether NIK's recommendations affect the priorities of NFOŚiGW programmes.