While Europe’s long-term biomethane potential remains strong as output is projected to reach up to 35bcm by 2030, growth is being slowed by regulatory bottlenecks, permitting delays and feedstock constraints.

At the same time, new policy developments are reshaping the outlook. Germany is tightening transport decarbonization rules while introducing more flexible pathways for renewable gases in heating. At the same time, policy fragmentation persists, highlighted by the European Commission’s action against France over its certification scheme.

So, what does this mean for the future role of biomethane in Europe’s energy mix? Aura Sabadus has invited ICIS biomethane and power market specialist Andrea Battaglia to unpack the shifting landscape of Europe’s biomethane market.

Since Russia sharply reduced gas supplies to Europe in 2022, Poland has emerged as a key regional gas crossroads, underpinned by its Swinoujscie LNG terminal, expanded interconnections and access to Baltic and North Sea supplies.

Gas grid operator Gaz‑System has strengthened this role through infrastructure upgrades, tariff reforms and the repurposing of the Yamal pipeline from Germany into a west‑to‑east corridor. As other transport routes take shape across central and eastern Europe and global gas markets remain volatile, the focus is now on whether Poland can draw sufficient interest for its planned Gdansk LNG terminal and expanded export capacity, including flows to Ukraine.

Speaking to ICIS senior reporter Aura Sabadus, Agnieszka Ozga, director for energy transition, and Stanislaw Brzeczkowski, chief engineer at Gaz‑System, explained the steps that are taken to position Poland as a major transshipment hub.

Energy markets were jolted into crisis after war erupted in the Middle East on 28 February, abruptly ending expectations of a calm year marked by abundant oil and gas supply and falling prices.

As the conflict escalated, energy infrastructure across the Gulf came under attack and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz ground to a halt amid sharply rising security risks.

Oil and gas prices have since doubled, while market volatility remains exceptionally high. Key questions now loom large. How will European policymakers respond? At what point will sustained high prices begin to trigger meaningful oil and gas demand destruction in Asia?

To answer all these, senior journalist Aura Sabadus has invited ICIS global LNG editor Ed Cox, crude oil editor Barney Gray and head of gas analytics Andreas Schroeder for a forward-looking discussion.