Cars and buses use 8082 megawatt-hours of biomethane in three months

According to the register of guarantees of origin of gas administered by Elering, a total 8082 megawatt-hours of biomethane was produced in Estonia in the second quarter, and consumed in the transport sector.

Production of domestic biomethane started this April. In the first month, the quantity of biomethane produced in Estonia was 353 megawatt-hours, but in May the figure rose to 2,642 megawatt-hours, and in June, 5,087 megawatt-hours. According to the register, a total of 7,941 Megawatt-hours of biomethane was produced from sewage sludge and 141 megawatt-hours from animal manure and biomass.

In Estonia, two plants currently produce biomethane – Rohegaas OÜ in Kunda, and Biometaan OÜ located in Põhja-Sakala Municipality in Viljandi County.

Biomethane is a gaseous substance corresponding to the quality requirements of natural gas. It is produced from biodegradable waste, wastewater and sewage sludge, waste of agricultural origin and biomass of different origin.

A guarantee of origin of gas is an electronic document that the system operator Elering issues to the producer based on its application and that proves that the producer has produced biomethane in Estonia. One guarantee of origin is issued for one megawatt-hour biomethane and the certificate is valid for 12 months. The register of guarantees of origin of gas is meant to prove the origin of gas for the end consumer.

In order to boost the consumption and production of biomethane, the state pays support to the producers for the consumed quantity of biomethane, and the construction of the relevant gas stations is also supported. Estonia currently has ten operating compressed natural gas (CNG) filling stations. However, the Environmental Investment Centre has supported the construction of 15 CNG stations, which means that almost all regions in Estonia will be covered by the necessary infrastructure.