In a strategic move, Italgas, Italy's largest gas distributor, and Coldiretti, the prominent Italian agricultural lobby, have entered into a collaborative agreement to advance the production of biomethane. This groundbreaking initiative is anticipated to replace a significant portion—approximately a quarter—of Italy's gas imports from Russia.
The primary objective of the partnership is to incentivize the establishment of new biomethane production plants, facilitate the conversion of existing biogas facilities, and enhance connectivity to the gas distribution networks, as outlined in Italgas's official statement.
Coldiretti, boasting a membership base of 1.5 million farmers, will play a pivotal role by conducting a comprehensive mapping of existing biogas plants and exploring potential conversion opportunities to biomethane.
Against the backdrop of geopolitical developments, particularly the conflict in Ukraine, biomethane emerges as a crucial renewable energy source poised to replace a substantial portion of fossil gas previously sourced from Russia.
Italy's post-COVID recovery plan allocates a significant budget of 1.7 billion euros with the aim of achieving a biomethane production target of approximately 2 billion cubic meters (BCM) annually by 2026. This ambitious goal represents a fourfold increase from the current production levels, reinforcing Italy's commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
This collaborative effort between Italgas and Coldiretti signifies a crucial step towards enhancing Italy's energy independence and promoting the widespread adoption of biomethane in the country's energy landscape.
