By 2026, Produce 500 Million Nm³ of Biogas... Annual Greenhouse Gas Reduction of 1 Million Tons

The government has decided to increase the annual biogas production to a maximum of 500 million standard cubic meters (N㎥) by 2026. The Ministry of Environment analyzed that 5.57 million tons of organic waste will be processed in an eco-friendly manner annually, resulting in a fossil fuel substitution effect worth 230 billion KRW and a greenhouse gas reduction effect of 1 million tons.

On the 20th, Han Hwajin, Minister of Environment, attended the ‘Ministerial Meeting on National Issues’ chaired by Prime Minister Han Deoksu at the Government Complex Sejong and reported the ‘Biogas Production and Utilization Activation Strategy’ based on these details. The strategy includes measures to process organic waste such as livestock manure and food waste in an eco-friendly way and to encourage actions that contribute to carbon neutrality. It was prepared to specify necessary matters following the enforcement of the ‘Act on Promotion of Biogas Production and Utilization Using Organic Waste’ in December last year.

According to the government, since production targets will be assigned to the private sector from 2026 under the Biogas Act, explanatory meetings for stakeholders will continue, and detailed operational standards will be established through facility site inspections and opinion gathering. Under the current law, private companies generating large amounts of organic waste must produce biogas starting in 2026. By 2034, 10% of waste must be gasified, with the target gradually increasing.

To improve efficiency in biogas production, the government encourages the simultaneous input of two or more types of organic waste. There are currently 15 integrated biogas facilities this year, and to expand this number, the government will simplify the licensing procedures and streamline the complex subsidy rate system. Additionally, from next year, related support will be provided to private mandatory producers as well as public ones.

The produced biogas will be used efficiently by revising the enforcement regulations of the Gas Business Act. Until now, biogas producers could directly supply only up to 10,000 N㎥ of biogas, but with the revision of the regulations, this will increase to 300,000 N㎥.

Minister Han stated, “We will expand renewable energy production and contribute to carbon neutrality through the implementation of the biogas production target system, support for facility expansion, and institutional improvements to diversify demand.”