Brussels, 13/03/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 12 March, the European Parliament strongly advised the EU to make full use of the huge potential of biogas, produced from agricultural waste. The EP says that, in the long term, and subject to further research, renewable energy, such as biogas and biofuels, together with solar power and wind energy, could bring about a higher degree of independence from fossil fuel energy sources and nuclear energy.
With the adoption of the own initiative report by Csaba Sándor Tabadji (PES, Hungary), by 610 votes to 23, with 13 abstentions, MEPs recommended the comprehensive inclusion of the promotion of biogas in the framework of the proposed Renewable Energy Directive. This oral amendment adopted in plenary session alters the original content of the Parliamentary agriculture committee. The committee was, in fact, more ambitious recommending the adoption of a directive on biogas (see EUROPE 9591).
With a further amendment (from the Liberal group) adopted by the EP, Parliament says that “the use of artificial fertilisers should not be favoured in EU legislation over the use of animal manure and by-products of biogas installations”. It calls, therefore, for a “review of the definition of livestock manure under the Nitrates Directive, Council Directive 91/676/EEC”.
Biogas, which is formed as agricultural waste (slurry and other animal waste, abattoir sludge, plant biomass and other plants not used in food production) decomposes, can be used to produce electricity and in heating and cooling systems, and be an ingredient in motor vehicle fuels. The EP believes that the use of biogas, particularly to produce heat and electricity, could make a significant contribution to achieving the binding target of 20% of the EU's overall energy consumption coming form renewable energy by 2020. The European Commission was asked to bring forward as quickly as possible a strategy which includes biogas installations in the Kyoto mechanism (through green certification, special premiums or tax credits for electricity, and heating from biogas). The EP also wants Community legislation to promote the supply of natural gas networks by biogas. More generally, MEPs believe that the production of “green gas” should receive subsidies in the same way as the production of “green electricity” and highlight that no progress will be made in biogas without additional funding, particularly for research and development. (L.C.)