Renewable gas needs functional markets and reliable certification systems
An opinion piece argues that a flexible, well-certified market is essential for trading renewable gases like biomethane and e-methane in Finland and beyond.
The column highlights that renewable gases can be bought and sold despite being physically mixed with fossil gas, provided their provenance is verified. It uses the example of e-methane produced in Harjavalta, shipped in containers to Mäntsälä and then entered into the gas grid for export to Germany, demonstrating how common pipelines enable renewable gas trade. Reliable certification, such as mass-balance systems, is needed to confirm origin, quantity and sustainability of the gas.
Finland currently has 41 biogas plant projects slated to generate 1.7 TWh, with imports already exceeding domestic output. The author suggests that adding more grid injection sites, securing demand in sectors like heavy transport, and easing unnecessary regulation would boost both imports and domestic production.
Why it matters
Clear market rules and certification are crucial for scaling renewable gas and meeting climate goals.
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