The Spanish Gas Association, Sedigas, has just positively rated the draft Royal Decree to promote biomethane announced by the Government, considering that the introduction of mandatory minimum quotas for this renewable gas until 2035 will provide regulatory stability, incentivize new investments, and accelerate the development of the sector in Spain.
Precisely this Thursday, the Secretary of State for Energy, Joan Groizard, announced the draft of this Royal Decree during the 52nd Annual Meeting of Sedigas, where the gas sector supported the new regulatory framework for its ability to strengthen energy autonomy, promote decarbonization, and foster the circular economy through waste utilization.
For Sedigas, the future regulation will establish for the first time in Spain a mandatory minimum quota for biomethane penetration in natural gas consumption for uses other than transport. The target will start at 0.5% in 2028 and will progressively increase to reach 6% in 2035.
At that meeting, the president of Sedigas, Joan Batalla, highlighted that this measure will send a demand signal “in the medium and long term” that will allow for the dynamization of investments and the consolidation of the growth of a technology that has accelerated its deployment in recent years.
Spain already has 25 biomethane plants
According to sector data, Spain closed 2025 with 25 operational biomethane plants, compared to the 12 existing the previous year. Forecasts indicate that by the end of 2026, up to 46 facilities could be operational, with an annual production capacity of 4.6 TWh. By 2030, the estimated potential would reach 22 TWh annually if all planned projects materialize.
The decree also introduces modifications to gas regulation to facilitate the integration of renewable gases and optimize the use of existing infrastructure. Among the novelties are the regulation of reverse flow equipment, which will allow biomethane to be injected from lower pressure networks into main gas pipelines, as well as a new regime for direct connection lines between plants and transport or distribution networks.
Furthermore, the regulation grants the National Commission for Markets and Competition powers to resolve possible technical or economic discrepancies related to connections to the gas network within a maximum period of two to three months.
Until June 11, the Ministry for Ecological Transition will keep open the public hearing and information process for the regulatory project, in which Sedigas has announced it will actively participate to contribute to the definitive development of the regulatory framework.