Three County Governors highlight the importance of biogas for the green transition and strengthened preparedness

Three County Governors in Västra Götaland, Skåne and Halland are urging the Swedish Government to create better long-term conditions for biogas. In a joint letter, they highlight the importance of biogas for the green transition of industry, strengthened energy preparedness and reduced dependence on imported fossil gas.

The letter is signed by Sten Tolgfors, County Governor of Västra Götaland, Peter Danielsson, County Governor of Skåne, and Anders Thornberg, County Governor of Halland. Together, they emphasize that biogas is an important part of efforts to reduce dependence on imported fossil gas and strengthen Sweden’s energy preparedness.

– Today, a large share of fossil natural gas is used in our three counties. As new facilities are commissioned, fossil gas can gradually be replaced by fossil-free biogas. Biogas is an important complement to the electrification of transport and an important piece of the puzzle in industry’s green transition, says Sten Tolgfors, County Governor of Västra Götaland.

The County Governors stress that biogas is more than a climate issue. Increased biogas production can improve the profitability of agriculture, strengthen the food sector and provide Sweden with a more robust food and energy system. This is particularly important in times of increased uncertainty, where security of supply and preparedness are becoming increasingly important.

The letter also highlights that much is already in place in the three counties. This includes industrial demand, agricultural resources and the residual streams needed to build stronger Swedish biogas production.

– In Västra Götaland, we have the industry, the agriculture and the residual streams needed to build strong Swedish biogas production, says Sten Tolgfors.

In order for the full potential of biogas to be realised, the County Governors call for long-term and stable conditions. Among other things, they highlight the need for a national target for biogas production, clearer policy instruments and better coordination between relevant public authorities.

They also point out that Klimatklivet remains important for the development of biogas, but that support for investments and production should take several wider societal benefits into account. These include preparedness, resilience, reduced climate impact and the transition of agriculture.

Another important element is that the preparedness perspective should be integrated into the long-term work to realise Sweden’s biogas potential. The County Governors also want Sweden to implement the EU Bioeconomy Strategy through a more systematic and coordinated national effort for biogas.

– The County Governors’ letter points to an important opportunity for Sweden. The biogas of the future is not only based on manure and food waste, but also on plant residues, grassland crops and cover crops. Integrating cropping systems with biogas can strengthen both the sustainability of agriculture and the resilience of the energy system. What is needed now is a clear national direction and coordination between policy areas to unlock this potential. Through Accel AgroBiogas, we are already working together with farmers and biogas companies to show the way – in Västra Götaland, Halland and Skåne, says Sabine Täuber, Project Manager for Accel AgroBiogas.

The letter has been sent to the Ministry of Climate and Enterprise, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Rural Affairs and Infrastructure, and the Ministry of Finance. Click here to read the full letter.

The initiative highlights the growing importance of biogas in the transition to a more sustainable, competitive and resilient society. To unlock its potential, long-term conditions, cooperation across policy areas and a clear national direction are needed.