Biogas and biomethane derived from organic waste could meet approximately 8% of Türkiye’s annual natural gas demand, according to experts.
Biogas, produced from solid waste, animal waste, and agricultural residues, has become a strategic resource for both energy and agriculture. It is utilized in specialized facilities to generate electricity and heat.
Ali Rıza Öner, chairman of the Association of Waste Management and Waste-to-Energy Producers, told Anadolu that biomethane — a purified form of biogas — is a natural gas-compatible alternative fuel.
“The use of this source could enhance energy security, reduce foreign exchange outflow, and provide a valuable resource that supports the system during crises,” he said.
Öner noted that Türkiye is home to 269 biogas and biomass plants. “In 2024, around 3.17 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity were generated from domestic solid waste, while biogas and biomass facilities produced a total of approximately 8.6 billion kilowatt-hours,” he said.
“These figures clearly demonstrate the significant contribution of domestic waste to overall biomass-based electricity generation.”
Öner emphasized that approximately 5 billion tons of carbon emissions were prevented in the same period with the production in question and that Türkiye has the potential to produce an average of 7 billion cubic meters of biomethane gas per year, and said that this amount can meet approximately 8% of the country's natural gas needs.
Underlining that carbon-neutral green methanol is produced through the synthesis of carbon dioxide with methane obtained from biogas, "Green methanol is highly important, particularly for sectors like maritime, industry, and petrochemicals. Türkiye can produce 4–5 million tons of green methanol annually from biogas. This amount is enough to satisfy Türkiye's yearly methanol needs from domestic and renewable sources, while also providing an opportunity to export to European Union (EU) countries that aim for zero carbon emissions," he explained.
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Öner emphasized that increasing biogas and biomethane production will help reduce Türkiye's current account deficit, lower natural gas imports, and support sectors like agriculture and livestock as energy producers.
"Türkiye's total potential for production of biomethane is 3.6 to 4.2 billion dollars. This means creating 120 to 140 billion liras of domestic resources per year," he said.
Türkiye's biogas plants produce enough electricity to meet the needs of 1.2 million houses, he said.
"Operating costs have increased sixfold in the past five years, while falling electricity prices and expiring support schemes have created a sustainability challenge. Türkiye urgently needs a legal framework for biomethane, as current gaps in regulation risk delaying investments and undermining the country's alignment with the Green Deal," he explained.
Öner stated that biomethane regulation should be implemented as part of an industrial and energy policy aligned with decarbonization targets, emphasizing the importance of the Ministry preparing regulations on new generation fuels, such as biomethane and e-fuels.
Pointing out that the EU is rapidly advancing its green transition with a strong focus on carbon-neutral fuels, Öner noted that biomethane and green methanol are poised to become core energy sources of the future.
He warned that if Türkiye fails to keep pace with this shift, key export sectors—such as cement, fertilizer, iron and steel, and chemicals—could face carbon border taxes, potentially reducing export revenues and eroding their global competitiveness.
Öner stated that these resources are of strategic importance for Türkiye while energy and climate policies are changing rapidly, "Regulations and investments to be made today can provide great gains not only in terms of energy issues, but also in terms of environmental responsibility, industrial competition and economic independence," he said.
By Basak Erkalan
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr
