Italy has recently emerged as a leader in Europe’s biomethane production growth, adding over 3TWh/year of capacity between 2022 and 2023, according to European Biogas Association. Together with France, which added 2TWh/year, the two countries accounted for two-thirds of the total increase in European biomethane production capacity during this period. Both have now overtaken the UK and Denmark in production levels.
Focusing on Italy, more than 40 biomethane facilities became operational in 2023 alone. A pivotal factor driving this growth is the Biomethane Decree introduced in 2022, which has facilitated the conversion of existing biogas plants—Italy hosts nearly 2,000 such facilities—into biomethane production sites while encouraging new project developments. This regulatory framework has also led to a significant surge in grid connection requests, which have risen by over 90% since the decree’s implementation.
Backed by nearly €2 billion from Italy’s national resilience and recovery plan, the decree aims to boost biomethane production to lower CO2 emissions and reduce reliance on imported energy.
Italy also benefits from having Europe’s largest fleet of gas-powered vehicles, with nearly all its biomethane output used as transportation fuel. Looking ahead, the country is well-positioned for sustained growth in biomethane production, thanks to its extensive gas grid, abundant feedstock from organic waste, agricultural residues, and animal manure, as well as improved waste management practices.
