How quickly can biogas grow?

Our house is on fire. We have between now and 2030 to put it out. But time – and carbon budgets – are running out.

One industry that can make a big difference fast -and is therefore predicted to experience steep growth by all reputable forecasters – is that of biogas/biomethane. Everyone agrees there will be growth, but there are differences on how much.

In its latest annual energy report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts the bioenergy sector will be the second-fastest growing source of energy between now and 2050 after hydrogen. The EU projects big increases, making biogas one of the three key pillars replacing Russian gas in Europe. BP, having purchased the world’s largest RGN provider in December 2022, has forecast a 25-fold increase in biogas.

But will these predictions be met? What are the assumptions behind them? The industry could deliver an 11% reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and deliver half of the Global Methane Pledge, signed at COP26 in Glasgow – yet we are currently tapping into just 2% of the global capacity of anaerobic digestion (AD). The potential for growth is enormous. Fully deployed, AD could deliver 6-9% of the world’s current energy consumption, 16-22% of its electricity consumption if used for power generation or replace 26-37% of its natural gas consumption should the resulting gas from the process be upgraded to biomethane.

Join the WBA alongside the IEA, BP and the EU Commission as we discuss forecasts for the outlook of biogas and biomethane, the challenges and uncertainties around these forecasts and what policy and regulatory mechanisms we need to fulfil the sectoral growth that is required to keep 1.5 C alive.

This is a must-attend webinar for policymakers, developers, and investors in one of the world’s most exciting renewable sectors.