WARSAW: The Republic of Poland has significant potential for biogas and biomethane production. However, compared to other European Union countries, this potential is largely underutilized. Currently, Poland is in the early stages of developing this sector, resulting in a limited number of installations and low production levels, according to the Polish Economic Institute, as cited by the RaportCSR.pl portal.

According to data from the Energy Regulatory Office (March 2025), Poland operates 416 installations: 415 biogas plants and just 1 biomethane plant. Energy Market Agency data indicate that the total installed capacity of these facilities is around 320 MW, with annual electricity production slightly under 1.6 TWh. This accounts for only 0.94% of national electricity production in 2024. The potential for expanding this sector is considerably greater, as has been discussed for years.

When and where was Poland’s first biomethane plant launched?

In February 2025, Poland’s first biomethane plant was opened in Brody (Lubusz Voivodeship) at the site of an Experimental Agricultural Farm. The facility aims to produce 0.65 million m³ of biomethane annually. This gas will be compressed and sold as bioCNG fuel for transportation.

How many biogas and biomethane plants operate in Europe?

Europe currently hosts over 20,000 biogas plants and approximately 1,600 biomethane plants. According to Gas for Climate, Europe’s technical biomethane production capacity surpassed 6.4 billion m³ by the end of the first quarter of 2024—over 9,800 times more than Poland’s current production.

At what development stage is the Polish biogas and biomethane market?

„The Polish biogas and biomethane market is at the beginning of its development,” states Juliusz Bolek, Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Business Institute. „Accelerating its development is advisable. Unfortunately, numerous construction-related problems exist. Investment funding can be managed, but the bigger challenge is compliance with the many standards and regulations in force in Poland,” he explains.

How does Juliusz Bolek comment on the increase in biomethane production?

„We should strongly support the growth in biomethane production,” says Juliusz Bolek. „This represents utilizing currently wasted potential. Increasing biomethane production would reduce imports, diversify, and decentralize energy sources. This is crucial for Poland, given its status as a frontline state, as it reduces risks and threats,” he adds.

According to Poland’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), Poland’s biomethane production potential could reach as much as 8 billion m³ annually, covering up to 46% of the country’s natural gas demand (8 of 17.4 billion m³). Achieving these goals would significantly reduce raw material imports and accelerate energy transformation, especially in electricity generation and heating.

Biomethane – how much can Poland produce annually?

Long-term estimates from Gas for Climate predict that by 2050, Poland could produce as much as 13 billion m³ of biomethane annually, ranking fifth in the EU in terms of potential.

What is the scenario outlined in Poland’s NECP?

The ambitious transformation scenario (WAM) in Poland’s NECP forecasts that by 2030, biomethane will provide 11.9 TWh of the nation’s final energy consumption (1.1 billion m³), rising to 28.3 TWh (2.6 billion m³) by 2040. The document also stresses the need to streamline investment procedures, including facilitating the construction of direct pipelines for biomethane producers. In April 2025, the Ministry of Climate and Environment proposed legislative changes aimed at accelerating market development.

Polish News Economy, /KAM/ 28.05.2025, source: Agencja Informacyjna /  RaportCSR.pl/Tygodnik PIE 20/2025/ /Wojciech Żelisko / 29.05.2025