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The European Biogas Association, through the European Renewable Gas Training Centre, is promoting a series of in-person masterclasses covering the full biogas value chain: from plant operations and technological innovation to future markets and financial optimisation.

The European Biogas Association (EBA), through the European Renewable Gas Training Centre (ERGTC), is launching the Autumn Biogas Masterclass Series 2026, a cycle of four in-person masterclasses designed for professionals, operators and stakeholders active in the biogas and biomethane sector.

Taking place between September and December 2026, the series will offer an in-depth learning path across the full biogas value chain: from the optimisation of production processes and plant performance to advanced technologies, market developments and financial tools supporting the growth of the sector.

The courses represent a particularly relevant training opportunity for the BIOMAPE communities, both committed to strengthening the role of biomethane in Europe’s energy transition and promoting innovative solutions to accelerate its uptake.

Upcoming masterclasses

17–18 September 2026, Brussels
Two-Day Operator Course + Plant Visit | Optimising the biogas and biomethane production process
A two-day hands-on operator course, combining expert-led training and a guided plant visit, focused on optimising biogas and biomethane production processes. Participants will explore the full pathway from feedstock input to biomethane upgrading, with a focus on process stability, methane yields and improved plant performance.

12 October 2026, Brussels
Masterclass | Advanced biogas technologies for next-generation plant performance
A masterclass dedicated to the emerging technologies that are helping transform the sector, including artificial intelligence tools, pre-treatment technologies, CO₂ valorisation, biofuels, biochar and new solutions to improve operational efficiency and carbon management.

11 November 2026, Hannover
Masterclass | Improved operations and future markets in the biogas sector
A session focused on optimising anaerobic digestion processes, improving methane yields and providing an up-to-date overview of market trends and the European policy landscape. The masterclass will take place during EnergyDecentral 2026 in Hannover.

10 December 2026, Brussels
Masterclass | Optimising financial performance and developing Biogas Purchase Agreements
A masterclass dedicated to the financial performance of biogas plants and the development of Biogas Purchase Agreements (BPAs). The course will explore how to analyse plant profitability, optimise revenue streams and structure agreements that reduce risk and support long-term investment decisions.

Participants can register for individual masterclasses or attend the full series. Seats are limited.

For more information and registration, please visit the European Renewable Gas Training Centre website:
renewablegastraining.eu

For further information, please contact:
info@renewablegastraining.eu

ERGaR, the European Renewable Gas Registry, closely follows EU-wide policy developments shaping the renewable gas market. At European level, new quotas, targets and sectoral obligations are increasingly influencing biomethane demand.

One key demand driver in 2026 is the entry into force of FuelEU Maritime obligations for the shipping sector. As shipping companies are required to gradually reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, bio-LNG is emerging as an attractive solution, contributing to growing demand for biomethane across Europe.

At the same time, ERGaR is witnessing a clear increase in cross-border biomethane trade. In 2025, more than 4 TWh of biomethane were traded across borders through the ERGaR Certificate of Origin scheme, marking a record year for the organisation and confirming the growing role of biomethane in Europe’s renewable energy market.

Finally, ERGaR organised the first ever European Biomethane Trading Conference in Amsterdam on 21 April, dedicated specifically at issues of cross-border trade of biomethane certification. More than 150 participants were present and not only attended sessions that targeted key challenges of the biomethane sector but also engaged in high-energy and honest discussions about the future of cross-border trade. Stakeholders from across the value chain – traders, registries, producers, policymakers, and certification bodies – highlighted the fast-growing character of the sector and made their voices heard on the direction of travel for biomethane certification. We hope that this is the beginning of a certification market that is harmonised and removes chronic barriers for cross-border trade.

The Serbian biogas sector has been steadily developing for more than a decade and a half and currently includes 45 operational biogas plants, while more than 55 additional projects are in the status of temporary privileged power producers. Although the sector has so far been primarily focused on electricity generation from biogas, increasing attention is now being directed toward biomethane as the next phase of sector development.

At the moment, Serbia still does not have an operational biomethane plant, but interest in biomethane projects has significantly increased in recent years, particularly due to the growing importance of renewable gases within the European energy transition, REPowerEU objectives, decarbonization targets, and energy security discussions. Existing biogas operators, investors, and sector stakeholders are increasingly exploring opportunities for upgrading current biogas facilities toward biomethane production in the coming years. [Read More]

One of Serbia’s key advantages is its strong agricultural base and wide availability of feedstock suitable for biomethane production. According to recent sector analyses, the country has substantial potential based on livestock manure, agricultural residues, organic waste from the food industry, biodegradable municipal waste, and wastewater sludge. Existing biogas plants already process large quantities of agricultural feedstock and organic residues, providing an important technical and operational foundation for future biomethane integration.

Regulatory development has also progressed. Serbia has introduced renewable and low-carbon gases into its gas legislative framework, including definitions of renewable gas, biomethane and low-carbon gas, while further secondary legislation and market mechanisms will be needed to enable practical project implementation. Current discussions are focused on licensing procedures, sustainability criteria, guarantees of origin, market incentives, and conditions for biomethane injection into the gas grid, largely following RED II and RED III principles.

At the same time, several important challenges remain. The sector still lacks fully developed support schemes specifically tailored for biomethane production, including operational incentives and clearer long-term market conditions. High investment costs, especially for upgrading technologies and grid connection, remain among the key barriers for investors. However, Serbia already possesses an existing gas infrastructure, which represents an important prerequisite for future biomethane integration and renewable gas market development.

Biomethane is increasingly recognized not only as an energy issue, but also as an opportunity for agriculture, waste management, circular economy development, and rural economic growth. In this context, the Serbian market is gradually moving from an early biogas development phase toward broader renewable gas market development aligned with European decarbonization trends.

Useful references:
Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of the Republic of Serbia (INEKP)
Ministry of Mining and Energy of the Republic of Serbia
Serbian Biogas Association

An important step forwards: in accordance with the RED II, the Hungarian Energy and Public Utility Regulatory Authority (MKEH) has been designated by a Government Decree as the official issuing body for Guarantees of Origin for renewable gases.

A call for applications for investment subsidies was published on 23 September, 2025. The program was designed to support investments in biogas and biomethane production, the applications could be submitted from 28 October, 2025 onwards. According to estimates by the National Energy Agency (NEÜ), the HUF 40 billion (about 100 million EUR) budget would allow for the support of 15-30 biogas/biomethane projects.

Larger and smaller projects would both be supported subject to the implementation deadline of 31 December, 2028. Nevertheless, no decisions have been taken by the outgoing government on allocating funds to any of proposed projects.

On 12 April, 2026 the ”polling-booth revolution” resulted in a major shift of power on the Hungarian political landscape. The new government was inaugurated on 12 May, 2026. Contrary to the previous governmental structure, a new Ministry for Environmental Protection is being established. The program of the new ruling party (TISZA) presented early 2026 foresees the doubling of the share of renewable energy by 2040. The biogas/biomethane industry expects the new government to provide consequent, stable support to the development of renewable energy production in the country, including the allocation of investment support funds to biogas/biomethane projects under the pending call.

The BIOMAPE project consortium is excited to announce significant progress on Deliverable 2.1, a comprehensive report providing updated guidelines for establishing national biomethane registries for certificate management across Europe. Building on earlier EU initiatives like BIOSURF and REGATRACE, this deliverable provides public authorities and market stakeholders with practical, actionable guidance.

To ensure robustness, the guidelines were developed through a collaborative, evidence-based approach. A dedicated BIOMAPE questionnaire was designed to gather data, circulated not only among the project’s eight partners (lead and focus countries: Hungary, Slovenia, Serbia, Portugal, Ukraine, Ireland, the UK, and Austria) but also via EBA and ERGaR networks. This effort yielded responses from 13 European countries, supplemented by desk research on all market leading countries.

The report is structured into three key sections:

1. Policy Frameworks: A detailed analysis of requirements under Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), the ETS within the Monitoring and Reporting Regulation (MRR), the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), among others.
2. Registry Establishment: Guidance on designing compliant, interoperable systems for managing Guarantees of Origin (GOs), Proofs of Sustainability (PoS), and Certificates of Origin (CoOs), covering functional, organisational, and technical aspects.
3. Country Mapping: A snapshot of national markets, highlighting their strengths and challenges: Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Servia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

A standout feature of the report is its classification of seven distinct registry setups—Type 1 (GO Issuing Body), Type 2 (Biofuel Registry), Type 3 (Hybrid System), Type 4 (Parallel Systems), Type 5 (Production Database), Type 6 (Data Center), and Type 7 (Fully Integrated). This framework helps stakeholders understand diverse approaches across Europe and identify opportunities for harmonisation. The report also stresses the importance of cross-border trade and future-proofing registries for scalability with other renewable gases and new market pathways.

By mapping national registries and their certificate types, the deliverable provides a clear overview of the current landscape, pinpointing gaps and opportunities for interoperability. It will serve as a vital resource for policymakers, registry operators, and industry stakeholders, supporting the market uptake and registry establishment in BIOMAPE focus countries.

The final version of Deliverable 2.1 will be publicly available on the BIOMAPE website (WP2 Deliverable section) by mid-June 2026. We will invite you to a public online workshop in September. Stay tuned and share your feedback to help shape the future of renewable gas certification in Europe!