Demand for biomethane has grown rapidly – international imports are responding to the increased demand

In Finland, demand for biomethane has grown rapidly in recent years. In 2025, imports of foreign biomethane exceeded one terawatt-hour, which represents more than a threefold increase compared to 2024. The growth in demand for biomethane indicates that the market is entering a new phase. Domestic production provides a solid foundation that biomethane imports can supplement.

In recent years, biomethane has been imported to Finland primarily from the markets of Denmark, France, and the Netherlands, where production capacity is greater. Biomethane imports complement domestic production and ensure that rapidly growing demand can be met.

Domestic production of biogas and synthetic e-methane is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, and several production facilities have begun negotiations to connect to the gas network.

Exporting renewable gas from Finland to Europe is also possible.

–An attribute-based market model enables the origin and sustainability characteristics can also be leveraged in international markets, as long as the requirements of the destination countries and common European procedures are met, says Heli Haapea, Service Manager responsible for guarantees of origin at Gasgrid.

–At the same time, the physical gas molecule remains in Finland, where it supports domestic energy use and contributes to Finland’s security of supply. In this way, Finnish production can serve both domestic demand and international markets, Haapea explains.

Renewable gas can be utilized regardless of the geographical distance between production and consumption

According to Haapea, gas is no longer viewed merely as a physical molecule, but increasingly through its attributes. An attribute market, where the renewability and sustainability of gas can be separated from the physical gas itself, enables the utilization of renewable gas even when physical production and consumption do not coincide geographically.

–For the customer, the attribute market means that documents demonstrating the renewability of renewable gas and compliance with sustainability criteria—such as guarantees of origin and sustainability certificates—can be obtained regardless of where the gas physically comes from, as long as there is a demonstrable physical link between the production facility and the end-use location. The gas molecule and its attributes move separately in the market, Haapea says.

Gasgrid is promoting the development of the renewable gas market through concrete actions. As one important step, Gasgrid has introduced a feed-in tariff discount for renewable and low-carbon gases and has also published feed-in tariff guhttps://gasgrid.fi/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Syottotariffialennusohje_Entry-Tariff-Discounts-4.pdfidelines that clarify the principles. The guidelines aim to increase predictability, fairness, and investment certainty in the gas market.

Gasgrid also aims to increase the use of renewable energy sources in its own operations. In 2025, the company procured renewable, domestically produced biomethane for part of the year to reduce emissions from the Mäntsälä compressor units.

–This supports Finnish production and demonstrates a commitment to developing the domestic biogas chain on a practical level as well, says Haapea.

–The international market for renewable gases, attribute-based trading, and clear market rules effectively support Finland’s and Europe’s climate goals. Gasgrid’s role as a market enabler and responsible developer will become even more prominent as demand for renewable gases grows, Haapea believes.

Further Information

For more information on biomethane procurement and the guarantee of origin service, visit customerservice@gasgrid.fi.

Gasgrid is a multi-gas company of the future providing energy transmission system solutions to promote clean transition and an energy-efficient society. We strengthen Finland’s economic growth, security of supply, and energy independence, and support the balancing power required for emission-free electricity production. Through our international infrastructure projects, we are preparing to meet the demand for clean gas energy in Europe as well. Gasgrid Group’s business operations consist of gas operations, LNG terminal operations, hydrogen development, and project execution. More information: gasgrid.fi/en

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