In January of this year, a new regulation came into effect, sparking a wave of discontent and debate among experts. The regulation mandated that a constant value of 4.25 gCO2eq/MJ must be added to the emissions associated with the transport of biomethane through the gas network.
This value was intended to account for methane leaks due to imperfections in the gas infrastructure. What was originally meant to enhance the accuracy of emission calculations turned out to be a serious problem for biomethane producers, something we sought to highlight. The main criticism stemmed from the fact that total emissions related to biomethane production (Ep) typically range between 6 and 10 gCO2eq/MJ. With the addition of this constant 4.25 gCO2eq/MJ, there was a dramatic increase in the overall emission score. This increase was so significant that transporting biomethane through the existing gas network could hypothetically generate higher emissions than those produced by road transport using trucks.
We consistently pointed out this inconsistency to all relevant authorities, and this issue evidently became a target of criticism from many experts and organizations across Europe. The argument was that such a measure not only misrepresented the actual situation but also unnecessarily damaged the image and development of biomethane as an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels.
After several months of pressure and numerous discussions, this decision has finally been revised. The new regulation sets the emission value for biomethane leaks during transport through the gas network at 0.1 gCH4/MJ, which corresponds to 0.28 gCO2eq/MJ when converted to CO2 equivalents. This new emission factor is much more aligned with reality and allows biomethane to continue fulfilling its role as a sustainable and low-emission energy source.