The first workshop organized by Amber Grid dedicated to preparing Lithuanian biomethane sector vision took place online on 21st of October. The workshop was attended by almost 40 stakeholders interested to increase the attractiveness of the Lithuanian biomethane sector and make better use of the sector’s potential.

The workshop was opened by Amber Grid representative, who highlighted the goals and importance of the workshop. Deputy Minister of Energy also welcomed the initiative and emphasized the importance of biomethane in achieving the goals set out in the National Climate Change Plan.

Stefanie Königsberger on behalf of ERGaR presented REGATRACE project, workshop methodology and European biomethane market. The presentations were followed by a discussion on the functioning of the system of guarantees of origin in Europe and on legal issues and cross-border trade.

Andreas Wolf on behalf of AGCS Gas Clearing and Settlement AG presented the role of biomethane in the gas sector and the Austrian biomethane certification scheme. There was a discussion on the functioning of the Austrian biomethane certification system.

During interactive session workshop participants actively discussed on various factors and issues in the environment of biomethane sector, and the impact of it for potential vision for 2030.

Key concerns raised by Lithuanian biomethane stakeholders:

  • there are currently insufficient economic preconditions for biomethane production. Due to the uncertainty of the current investment environment, lack of demand and sufficient financial support, the prospects of implementation of investment projects are unclear;
  • risk that there will not be enough of raw materials to produce enough biomethane to meet the long-term targets for the share of renewable energy in the transport sector;
  • currently there is lack of a framework for guarantees of origin that would provide possibility to export biomethane with sustainability characteristics, and the overall framework of cross-border trader of guarantees of origin is unclear;
  • lack of incentives to use biomethane in transport sector, like obligations on fuel suppliers to purchase a certain amount of biofuels or special price mechanisms.

It was agreed that after evaluating the received comments and suggestions of the workshop participants, the workshop material will be updated and will be used for the definition of national roadmap for the biomethane sector in the next workshop.