Brussels, 12th of September, 2024. The second Polish Biomethane Organization Forum held on the 11th and 12th of September in Warsaw, Poland, in combination with the first European Biomethane Study Tour, concluded today with great success. The event, organised by the Polish Biomethane Organization with the support of the Biomethane Industrial Partnership, was attended by around 200 participants from up to 180 companies. It highlighted the status of biomethane development in the EU and its role in Poland’s energy transition.
Miłosz Motyka, Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Energy and Climate, opened the conference by emphasising the crucial role of biomethane in both the agriculture and energy sectors. He highlighted the importance of using local resources like biomethane to achieve energy independence and stressed the need for close cooperation between local authorities and industry. “This is an opportunity we must turn into reality,” he said.
Tom Howes, advisor for the green energy transition at DG ENER, introduced the Biomethane Industrial Partnership as a collaboration between the EU and industry aimed at accelerating biomethane production. He noted that biomethane aligns with key policy goals, such as promoting local resources, driving economic growth, and enhancing energy security. The BIP and the European Commission are dedicated to removing barriers to biomethane production and trade across the EU.
Throughout the day, five policy sessions were held, featuring prominent political and industry leaders, including Andrzej Grzyb, Chairman of the Polish Parliament’s Committee for the Implementation of the European Green Deal, and Michał Tarka, Director General of the Polish Biomethane Organization.
The European Commission presented its policy framework, highlighting Poland’s potential to significantly contribute to the EU’s target of producing 35 billion cubic meters of biomethane. The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to realise this potential. It was also noted that Poland ranks among the top five countries for planned biomethane investments.
Representatives from Denmark and the Netherlands shared best practices on national biomethane policies, including zoning approaches. Session 3 focused on biomethane’s potential to decarbonise various industries, while Session 4 launched the BIP Task Force 4 report on optimising biomethane grid injection. Session 5 addressed the fast-tracking of biomethane projects, discussing key topics from BIP Task Force 2, such as streamlining permitting processes and facilitating cross-border trade within the EU.
The forum also featured a dedicated BIP Expo Area, where BIP member companies (AB impianti, Gasum, Nippon Gases, Pietro Fiorentini, Refuels and TotalEnergies) showcased sector best practices aligned with the different Task Forces, highlighting innovations and strategies driving the biomethane industry forward.
On the second day, participants visited the Wicie Biogas Plant, operated by Polska Grupa Biogazowa (PGB, now part of TotalEnergies). The facility processes food industry waste, such as apples and tomatoes, to produce biogas for heat and electricity, using the recovered heat for wood drying. The plant’s output currently meets the energy needs of approximately 80 households. PGB considers biomethane, alongside other renewable energy sources, essential to Poland’s energy transition and advocates for the establishment of a national biomethane production target of 20 TWh.
