Last updated: 13.05.2025
How do biogas and biomethane support Poland’s energy goals?
Amid the global push for energy transition and the urgent need to decarbonize the economy, Poland is increasingly focusing on developing renewable energy sources such as biogas and biomethane. These resources play a vital role in enhancing Poland’s energy security, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and providing sustainable alternatives to conventional natural gas. Additionally, Poland aims to produce biogas from organic waste streams, contributing to a circular economy model.
Its integration with the national gas system and application in transport supports the achievement of the National Index Target, which defines the minimum share of renewable fuels in total fuel consumption for road and rail transport.
Poland’s Energy Policy until 2040 (PEP2040) – Strategic Role of Biogas and Biomethane
In PEP2040, biogas and biomethane are identified as key elements of the decarbonization of the energy sector, particularly in the context of heating and transport. The plan provides for the construction of new biogas plants and the development of distribution networks for biomethane.
Biogas and biomethane are essential for Poland’s energy transition, particularly in the transport sector, which must meet the requirements of the RED II Directive. This Directive aims to achieve a 14% share of renewable energy sources in transport by 2030, of which at least 3.5% must come from advanced biofuels, including biomethane.
As an alternative to conventional fossil fuels, biomethane can significantly contribute to decarbonizing transport, especially in sectors like heavy-duty transport where electrification is challenging. Biomethane is particularly suitable to fuel vehicles that require high energy density solutions, such as trucks and public transport fleets.
Its integration with the national gas system and application in transport supports the achievement of the National Index Target, which defines the minimum share of renewable fuels in total fuel consumption for road and rail transport.
Directions for the development of the biogas and biomethane sector in Poland
The energy policy emphasizes increased use of domestic biomass resources and waste from municipal, agricultural, and food industries to produce biogas and biomethane. Priority areas for action include:
- Utilizing traditional biocomponents produced from food and feed raw materials as additives to liquid fuels (E5/E10 and B7/B10 blending). This maximizes the potential of domestic raw materials, methyl ester production, and bioethanol until the „blending wall” is reached. It also aligns with the principles of a circular economy.
- Developing technologies to purify agricultural biogas to biomethane quality for transport or distribution via gas networks.
- Supporting new technologies such as biomass co-hydrogenation and producing renewable fuels from recycling, which are priority areas for the coming years. These include advanced methods to produce biogas from agricultural and municipal waste streams.
Support and control instruments in Poland
- Certification and oversight: To ensure high-quality biofuels and compliance with sustainability criteria, certification coordinated by the Ministry of Climate will be essential.
- Renewable fuel tracking systems: Poland participates in developing an EU-wide database for monitoring gaseous and liquid renewable fuels to prevent potential misuse.
What are the main challenges for biogas and biomethane in Poland?
Key investments in biomass processing technologies and the expansion of transmission networks are the foundation for a stable energy transition in the future.
- Technological development – despite growing interest in waste-based biogas and biomethane production, technological and organizational barriers still hinder large-scale application.
- Transmission infrastructure – developing the capacity to transport renewable gases, such as biomethane, through existing gas networks will be crucial.
- Feedstock competition – increased use of food waste could create conflicts between the energy sector and the agricultural and food industries.
Poland’s National Recovery Plan (NRP) – Financial support for biogas and biomethane projects
The Poland’s National Recovery Plan (NRP) provides for financial resources for the construction of biogas plants and infrastructure for the production and transmission of biomethane. These investments are supported in order to increase the share of renewable energy sources in the energy mix, helping Poland to further cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Legal requirements for biomethane in Poland
Biomethane introduced into the gas grid must meet specific quality standards, requiring proper certification. In Poland, the Energy Regulatory Office (URE) oversees fuel quality. Producers can obtain guarantees of origin to confirm the renewable nature of their product, enhancing biomethane’s market appeal internationally.
New regulations supporting the development of agricultural biogas plants in Poland
On September 11, 2023, the Act of July 13, 2023, on facilitating the preparation and implementation of investments in agricultural biogas plants came into force. This legislation aims to simplify procedures for building and operating agricultural biogas plants, making them more accessible to investors and farmers.
A key objective of this legislation is to enable agricultural producers and businesses to produce biogas efficiently, utilizing available biomass resources while meeting environmental standards.
Key provisions of the Polish Act
- Accelerating the construction of agricultural biogas plants – streamlined administrative procedures facilitate project implementation.
- Simplified grid connection – reduced barriers to obtaining grid connection terms.
- Exemption from land-use changes – biogas plants up to 1 hectare on farms are exempt from land-use reclassification.
- Placement on agri-food processing sites – allowed on designated sites, provided they comply with local zoning plans and are limited to 1 hectare.
- Special location procedure for larger plants – facilities over 1 MW can be approved via municipal council resolutions.
- More lenient waste regulations – certain biomass types are exempt from stringent waste regulations.
- Simplified use of post-fermentation products – streamlined procedures for using these products as fertilizers.
With the implementation of this legislation, the National Agricultural Support Centre (KOWR) introduced updated rules for registering agricultural biogas producers and a revised application form.
These new regulations offer an opportunity to develop renewable energy in Polish agriculture, enhancing energy independence and better utilizing organic waste.
FAQ – Biogas and Biomethane in Poland
How is biogas produced in Poland’s energy sector?
In Poland, biogas is produced through the anaerobic digestion of organic materials such as livestock waste, animal manure, agricultural waste, sewage sludge, and municipal solid waste.
These materials undergo anaerobic digestion, where biogas is produced for applications in electricity generation, thermal energy, and as vehicle fuel in the form of renewable natural gas.
This process takes place in an anaerobic digester, where biogas is produced as a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide, supporting renewable energy production and reducing methane emissions.
How does the biogas production process contribute to reducing human related methane emissions?
The biogas production process, particularly through anaerobic digestion of livestock manure and agricultural waste, captures methane and carbon dioxide that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.
This significantly reduces human related methane emissions and supports Poland’s GHG emissions reduction targets.
Can raw biogas from wastewater treatment plants be used to produce renewable energy?
Yes, raw biogas generated from anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge in wastewater treatment plants is used to produce renewable energy. This biogas is upgraded to renewable natural gas or utilized directly for electricity generation and thermal energy production.
What is the role of natural gas pipelines in integrating biomethane into Poland’s energy system?
Biomethane, called renewable natural gas, must meet natural gas standards before injection into natural gas pipelines. This ensures compatibility with conventional natural gas infrastructure and facilitates the delivery of biomethane as a vehicle fuel or for general energy production.
How does biogas produced from municipal solid waste support Poland’s waste management and green energy goals?
Biogas produced from municipal solid waste and organic materials aligns with Poland’s circular economy strategy. It reduces landfill gas emissions, improves waste management, and enhances the share of renewable source energy in Poland’s power plants and biogas systems.
Why is biomethane a strategic alternative to fossil natural gas and liquefied natural gas in Poland?
Biomethane, unlike fossil natural gas or liquefied natural gas, is produced from animal waste, crop residues, and other organic matter through anaerobic digestion. Its use reduces reliance on conventional natural gas, supports energy security, and aids in decarbonizing transport by fueling natural gas vehicles and compressed natural gas fleets.
How does the anaerobic digestion process enable biogas systems to produce electricity and produce heat?
The anaerobic digestion process converts livestock waste, animal manure, and agricultural waste into biogas. This biogas is used in combined heat and power plants to generate electricity and produce heat, contributing to local energy production and reducing methane emissions.
What regulatory measures ensure the quality of biogas produced and its compliance with natural gas standards?
Biogas digester operators must certify that the biogas produced meets natural gas standards, particularly concerning hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and trace gases.
Certification processes are supervised by the Energy Regulatory Office to guarantee environmental compliance.
How does biogas generated from livestock waste improve Poland’s energy security?
Biogas generated from livestock waste and other organic materials diversifies Poland’s energy sources, reduces dependence on imported conventional natural gas, and supports the development of a self-sufficient biogas industry focused on renewable energy production.
Can landfill owners contribute to Poland’s energy transition through biogas systems?
Yes, landfill owners can harness called landfill gas to produce renewable energy.
This mitigates methane emissions, supports waste management, and integrates green energy into Poland’s broader energy production framework.
