The basics of biomethane
Biomethane is a renewable gas that can be used as replacement for natural gas.
How biomethane is made
Organic waste is placed in an anaerobic (oxygen-free) digester.As the waste breaks down it naturally produces biogas.
The biogas is captured and upgraded to biomethane by removing carbon dioxide, hydrogen, sulphide and water.
The resulting biomethane can then be used in the gas network.
The benefits of biomethane
Producing and using biomethane supports Aotearoa New Zealand’s emissions and waste reduction goals and increases renewable energy.
It’s sustainable
- Organic waste like food waste, agricultural and horticultural waste, landfill and wastewater can all be used as the ‘feedstock’ for making biogas, from which biomethane is made.
- Producing biomethane increases the amount of renewable energy we make.
It’s a ‘drop in’ replacement for natural gas
- It’s suitable for existing gas infrastructure and customer appliances.
- It can be used as an alternative to natural gas without producing additional emissions.
- It means customers can continue to use gas, which is good for energy choice and resilience.
It reduces waste
- We can make useful products from what would otherwise go to landfill. As well as biomethane, the by-products of biogas include carbon dioxide (which can make bubbles for our fizzy drinks and beer), and organic fertiliser for our agricultural industry.
It reduces emissions
- Capturing biomethane for energy reduces the amount being released into the atmosphere.
Biomethane here and around the world
Biomethane isn't new. Here's what's happening in Aotearoa and around the globe.
In November 2024 biomethane began flowing from the Firstgas Reporoa facility in the first trial of its kind in New Zealand.
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Biomethane provides 39% of Denmark's gas needs, with a target of reaching 100% by 2035.
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The Malabar Biomethane Injection Plant uses Sydney's wastewater to produce biomethane.
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The potential for biogas
To make biomethane, first you need biogas. In 2023 we co-commissioned a report to see how much biogas Aotearoa could make. The report found that New Zealand has the potential to produce 23.4PJ of biogas a year. Kiwi homes and small businesses currently use about 14.9PJ of natural gas a year.Read the report
Put your waste to work
If you have organic waste, we want to know about it. We're collaborating with the agricultural and waste sectors to produce biomethane.