Portugal’s power grid, REN (Rede Electrica Nacional), has announced the first issuance of ‘guarantees of origin’ for biomethane produced at the Aljustrel production plant on March 20.
Biomethane, also known as renewable natural gas (RNG), is made from biogas that has been upgraded to a quality similar to fossil natural gas.
In a statement released on today, REN says the certificates of origin for biomethane produced by Capwatt at the Aljustrel Biomethane Production Plant, make REN the first entity to issue a production certificate for this renewable gas in Portugal.
REN explains that these certificates serve as proof to consumers that a specific portion of the energy they use was produced from a particular source and technology.
“In the case of renewable energy, these guarantees prove the origin of the energy, enabling suppliers and end consumers to demonstrate their consumption of renewable energy, particularly in the context of their sustainability strategies and respective obligations”, says REN, highlighting that these guarantees of origin are particularly significant for biomethane as they ensure the traceability and valuation of renewable gases – promoting the decarbonisation of sectors where electrification is technically difficult.
Today’s news comes as the wider industry is urging much more in the way of investment for biomethane/ RNG, as it represents “a strategic solution” to crises of the kind the world is experiencing now, thanks to the conflict in the Middle East.
As a report by the European Biogas Association stresses, biomethane “can replace fossil gas without the need for changes on the consumer side, whether residential, industrial or in the services sector.”
Source material: LUSA
