Study puts numbers on Portugal's biomethane potential and the barriers holding it back

A study commissioned by the Portuguese bioenergy producers' association APPB and coordinated by Católica Lisbon SBE estimates that reaching the 2030 target of 2.7 TWh of biomethane would cut emissions by 7 million tonnes of CO2e a year and trim gas import bills by €82.2 million. It could also create up to 1,140 direct and 1,660 indirect jobs, mostly in rural areas. Only 13 plants operate today, with 44 more projects approved or in development. The study blames complex licensing, weak incentives, regulatory delays and limited feedstock, and proposes a single licensing desk, guaranteed tariffs, support for digestate use and public-procurement demand.