Biogas and Biomethane in NZ Report

Unlocking New Zealand's biomethane potential

This report is the result of a study into the opportunities for producing biomethane and reveals that biomethane is a viable, untapped solution to decarbonising New Zealand’s natural gas network with the potential to replace nearly 20% of New Zealand’s total natural gas usage by 2050.

The study concluded that 4% of New Zealand’s energy-related emissions could be avoided with biogas upgraded into biomethane.  This could be produced using existing and available organic waste, like food waste from your kitchens, or farm waste like manure from cow sheds across New Zealand.

Internationally biomethane is a popular low emission gas that has significant potential to replace natural gas. It is a renewable green methane substitute produced by biologically digesting organic waste materials and upgrading the gas produced. It is chemically identical to natural gas, but over the full biomethane value chain it prevents up to 95% of associated carbon emissions.

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