The European Union believes that the EU can replace part of gas purchases from Russia with biomethane

Brussels, February 9 – The competent committee of the European Parliament (EP) believes that the EU can replace 20% of Russian gas imports with its own biomethane.

The European Parliament said in a statement that the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy “accepted its position” on Thursday by a majority vote on some EU legislative acts.

“In their amendments to the regulations, in line with REpowerEU targets, MEPs say that by the end of 2030, member states (EU editor) must provide at least 35 billion cubic meters of sustainable biomethane that can be produced annually and pumped into Natural gas system to replace 20% of Russian natural gas imports with a sustainable and cheaper domestically produced alternative.

This position of the Commission will be considered in the plenary session of the European Parliament in March. If approved, the representatives of the European Parliament will be able to enter into negotiations with the Council of the European Union on the relevant regulations.

Last spring, the European Commission laid out the REPowerEU plan that aims to wean the European Union off its dependence on Russian fossil fuels.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said earlier this year that Russia cut off 80% of gas supplies to the EU in eight months last year. The European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, said that the European Union is able to replace the remaining quantities of Russian gas it receives with energy from renewable sources.