The energy ministry plans to present, for public consultation, a draft bill covering biomethane production in the first quarter of 2024 before having it ratified in parliament in the second quarter of next year.

As part of a private consultation, the ministry organized a meeting last week with all entities involved to discuss the new sector’s legal framework and key aspects such as securing raw material for biomethane production, connecting production units to the network, and establishing a support scheme, energypress sources informed. Participants will need to submit their comments by Wednesday.

Over 150 officials took part in the meeting, held last Thursday, including biogas producers, gas transmission and distribution network operators, gas suppliers, relevant ministries, public organizations, RAAEY, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Environment, and Water, and consumer representatives.

According to sources, the energy ministry is currently promoting a support scheme similar to a model chosen for the incorporation of batteries at RES units. It would combine investment and operating support for new biomethane production units.

As for the cost of connecting new biomethane production units or existing biogas facilities  that will be converted to biomethane plants to the distribution or transmission networks, the ministry favors a formula that would require the operator to assume the entire cost if production units are located less than kilometer from connection points; evenly divide the connection cost between operator and producer if production units are between one and ten kilometers from the network; or require producers to cover the entire connection cost if their units are located over ten kilometers from the network.