Biomethane
Biomethane is a promising link in our energy supply system. It combines sustainability with flexibility and helps the Netherlands reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. By focusing on scale-up, innovation and collaboration, biomethane can become a structural pillar of the future energy system.
Biomethane plays an important role in making our energy system more sustainable. It is a renewable alternative to natural gas and can be used for exactly the same applications, without requiring changes to existing infrastructure. A key advantage of biomethane is its immediate usability. It can be injected directly into the natural gas grid, while end users can continue using their existing appliances and installations without any modifications.
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Biomethane in the Netherlands
What is biomethane?
Biomethane is a renewable gas that is primarily produced by upgrading biogas to the same quality as natural gas. Biomethane is generated from organic waste streams such as fruit and vegetable residues, garden waste and manure. Anaerobic digestion is currently the most widely used technology for producing biogas. However, other technologies are also being developed, including gasification and supercritical water gasification.
The role of EBN
As a public energy company, EBN contributes to the growth of the biomethane sector through its participation in the development of several biomethane production facilities across the Netherlands. One example is the North Star project, where EBN is working with energy producers ENGIE and Shell to develop a biomethane installation at the GZI Next energy hub.
EBN’s activities focus on sharing knowledge, connecting stakeholders and investing in projects with a sound business case that offer long-term scaling potential. In addition, EBN supports the development of innovative technologies to help establish biomethane as a structural component of the Dutch energy mix.
What is the role of biomethane in energy security?
The production of biomethane not only helps to make the energy system more sustainable, it also reduces the Netherlands’ dependence on imported natural gas and strengthens energy security. In sectors and regions where renewable electricity, such as solar and wind power, is not a viable option, renewable gases can provide an effective solution.
Examples include historic city centres and rural areas where district heating networks or electrification are difficult to implement. Biomethane also offers a sustainable and flexible alternative for meeting peak demand in district heating systems, as well as in industry, transport, and the agricultural and horticultural sectors.
By complementing renewable electricity, biomethane contributes to a reliable, resilient and diversified energy system.
