Interest in biogas has turned - industry demands fivefold increase

In the spring of 2024, Swedish industry clearly raised the issue that Sweden's biogas production must increase dramatically by 2030 to meet future needs. A Biogas Commission for Industry was launched in the spring, with leading companies such as SSAB, Höganäs and Perstorp participating.

Speaking at the launch, Adam Kanne, Chair of the Commission and Vice President of Public Affairs at Perstorp, emphasized the importance of focusing on biogas as a key part of reducing industry's use of fossil fuels.

Current domestic biogas production stands at 2.3 terawatt hours (TWh) per year, while imports account for a further 2.2 TWh. To meet the industry's needs by 2030, an increase of around 10 TWh is required, which is a five-fold increase compared to current levels.

Key role for fossil-free industry

The aim of the Commission is to highlight the central role biogas plays in making Swedish industrial production fossil-free, especially in chemical and steel manufacturing. Biogas can also be an important key in energy security to reduce industry's dependence on fossil gas imports.

Calculations show that it is entirely possible to scale up Swedish biogas production and expand the distribution network in the coming years. Raw materials are available from various sources such as agriculture, wastewater treatment plants and food waste. More municipalities are investing in better collection and management of food waste, and biogas could be an excellent part of a circular chain.

It is clear that industry sees biogas not only as an environmentally friendly alternative but also as a strategic resource to ensure Swedish industrial competitiveness and sustainability in the long term.

Sweden is well ahead

- Biogas is based on already known technologies and in Sweden we can easily scale up and utilize "raw materials" suitable for biogas production. No other known energy source can supplement the Swedish energy supply as quickly, although new plants obviously require investment," says Maria Olsson, project manager at West Sweden Energy Agency, part of Innovatum Science Park.

Southern Sweden is well advanced in the development of biogas production. In Västra Götaland, West Sweden Energy Agency in collaboration with Biogassamverkan Sydväst has been running the EU-funded project Bioze for the past 18 months with the aim of promoting dialog and development of biogas plants in Västra Götaland.

Sweden has several interesting research projects that are at the forefront of substrates and cultivation models run by, among others, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.

Results from the research projects were highlighted during sub-regional workshops, which Bioze organized in the autumn of 2023 with relevant municipal actors together with gas companies and industry in Västra Götaland.

Strong interest in biogas again

2023 was a tough period for Swedish biogas production after new tax reduction rules were introduced. Now biogas interest is back on the agenda in the Swedish market and several new plants are planned.

- "It's great and very important that there is once again great interest in biogas. This type of energy has an obvious role in the future energy system. The right type of energy in the right place for the optimal mix," concludes Maria Olsson.

The Bioze project is funded by the EU through Interreg North Sea and has partners around Europe. In Sweden, the project is run by West Sweden Energy Agency , part of Innovatum Science Park.