Five Regulatory Barriers Holding Back European Biogas
EU energy policy treats biomethane as a tool for energy security, yet the sector's growth is falling short of its targets. A leaflet published by the European Biogas Association (EBA) in October 2026 (EBA, 2026) sets out why: the regulatory and administrative bottlenecks holding back investment, and what policymakers should do about them. It groups the barriers into five areas and pairs each with an example of good practice from a member state. The recommendations come from an industry body, but the problems they describe reflect developers' everyday experience.
1. Permitting and planning
According to the EBA, a biogas project touches six regulatory domains: energy, waste, emissions, agriculture, water and construction. The result is overlapping permits and long lead times, with developers having to deal separately with each authority.
The association proposes a one-stop shop covering every permit a project needs, fully digital procedures in line with the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), and simplified, fast-track permitting for existing biogas plants that upgrade to biomethane or change feedstock. It also wants stronger coordination between authorities and training for permitting staff.
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