Biomethane is Italy's Largest Source of Renewable Energy
Italy’s largest domestic energy products are biofuels, representing just over one third of the market; a fraction more than all other renewable sources combined.
More than almost any other major European economy, the country runs on natural gas, which accounts for 46 percent of Italy’s electricity generation - three times more than the second-largest contributor hydropower. Despite being a relatively sunny country, solar only accounts for about 15 percent of its energy needs and it has no nuclear power plants.
So, it is developing a niche but effective renewable solution and has now switched on a major new biomethane plant in southern Italy that will save some 9,000 tons of CO2 annually by producing a natural gas substitute with agricultural waste - the facility will ultimately produce 45 gigawatt-hours of renewable energy (enough for 3,000 households) a year for decades. The plant brings in agricultural byproducts from regional farms in order to produce low-carbon gas and fertilizer, directly supporting Europe’s decarbonization goals while strengthening energy security and the circular economy.
Italy’s biomethane capacity has grown from 0.25 billion cubic meters in 2022, to roughly 1.6 billion cubic meters in 2026. As a result, Italy’s largest domestic energy products are biofuels, representing 35 percent of the market; 1 percent more than all other renewable sources combined.
