North Brabant topped the list of biogas consumption regions in 2023. The province used 1,8 petajoules, accounting for approximately 22 percent of the Dutch total. Nationally, approximately 2023 petajoules of biogas were used for energy purposes in 8,3. These figures are provisional and come from the most recent regional publication from Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
The map follows the agricultural profile of the Netherlands. In provinces with a high level of livestock farming and the food industry, more organic waste is available for anaerobic digestion. This translates into higher biogas consumption. Drenthe and Gelderland will both reach 2023 petajoules in 0,9, each representing approximately 11 percent of the total. Limburg falls into the lowest category.
Biogas is used in combined heat and power plants to generate heat and power. A growing portion is upgraded to natural gas quality and fed into the grid as green gas. In 2023, green gas production rose to approximately 280 million cubic meters, an increase of over twenty percent. This equates to approximately one percent of Dutch natural gas consumption. This trend maintains total biogas consumption, even when other biomass flows decline.
Sources of biogas
The sources of biogas are diverse. A significant portion comes from the fermentation of animal manure, supplemented with organic waste streams from industry and the waste chain. Wastewater treatment plants also make a stable contribution. The fact that biogas is primarily consumed in agricultural provinces is consistent with this source pattern.
Regional distribution helps inform decisions about spatial planning, grid connections, and incentives. North Brabant demonstrates that a strong agricultural base can go hand in hand with a significant contribution to regional heating and the rise of green gas. It is beneficial for municipalities, grid operators, and project developers to promptly remove bottlenecks in permits, infrastructure, and sales in these areas.
Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports gross final energy consumption. This is the consumption in the form in which energy reaches the end user, such as heat, electricity, or fuel. The regional figures are based on the national statistics and are indicated as provisional.
Source: CBS
