Europe’s largest biogas producer has warned that it will take years to significantly boost production despite the EU pushing for a rapid increase in output to reduce reliance on Russian gas.
Biomethane is chemically identical to natural gas but produced through the controlled decomposition of animal and industrial waste. The EU wants output to more than double and contribute to about 3 per cent of a targeted two-thirds reduction in imports of Russian gas by the end of the year.
However, Ole Hvelplund, chief executive of Danish biomethane producer Nature Energy, said the target was unrealistic because it takes at least two years to secure permits and construct plants.