This year, the tour took participants to the province of V盲sterg枚tland and brought together around 30 attendees. The study tour functions as a travelling conference for researchers and professionals involved in various aspects of biogas solutions. The programme was packed with site visits, while lively discussions continued throughout the journey. Participants exchanged experiences and insights, and several of the stops included small conferences with presentations and seminars.
Creating the right conditions
Among the speakers were Christina Anderback, who presented the work of Agrov盲st, and Johan Benjaminsson, a consultant working with the organisation. He is also a Link枚ping University alumnus with extensive experience of the European biogas sector.
Christina Anderback and Johan Benjaminsson from Agrov盲st during discussions at the Biogas Solutions Research Center conference. In the background is Jonas Ammenberg, Associate Professor at Link枚ping University.
Agrov盲st is a cluster organisation serving the agricultural sector in western Sweden. It promotes knowledge exchange and development in arable farming, livestock production, horticulture and energy.
"Energy is the most recent area we have added to our portfolio. Our aim is to create better conditions for farmers to both use and produce energy in a profitable and sustainable way. A particular focus is helping farmers find their place in the future value chains of energy and the bioeconomy," said Christina Anderback.
Only a small fraction
Using graphs and data, the speakers showed that Sweden currently utilises only a small share of the agricultural sector's biogas resources.
"The majority of agriculture's biomass resources are still not being used for biogas production. The greatest potential lies in manure, straw and ley crops," said Johan Benjaminsson.
They concluded that economics, rather than technology, remains the main bottleneck. The biogas sector is highly sensitive to political decisions and policy direction. In recent years, however, profitability has improved through investment grants, support schemes linked to manure and growing demand for biogas.
Networks
"Agrov盲st has built networks where participants in biogas projects can exchange experiences and learn from one another. In V盲sterg枚tland there are several established biogas plants, but also new projects in which farmers are coming together around different initiatives."
Jonas Ammenberg, Associate Professor at Link枚ping University.
Jonas Ammenberg, Associate Professor at Link枚ping University, spoke about the broader societal benefits of biogas. A literature review presented in 2025 identified 53 separate benefits. For decision-makers, assessing the full value of biogas can be challenging, as many of these benefits are widely dispersed, long term in nature and difficult to quantify financially.
A wide range of benefits
Ulrik Svedin
At the same time, the market is changing and demand for biomethane is increasing within industry, shipping and heavy transport.
"As a result, municipalities and regions need to reassess their roles. Rather than building the systems themselves, they can increasingly act as coordinators, facilitators and strategic partners," Jonas Ammenberg concluded.
He also noted that many municipalities remain passive despite the potential for large-scale biogas facilities to be established in their areas. A more proactive approach is needed.
"To support this, a handbook has been developed featuring a ten-step model for municipalities and regions that wish to work more strategically with biogas-related issues," said Jonas Ammenberg.
A changing identity
Professor Mats Eklund provided a historical perspective and an analysis of the current state of biogas.
"The identity of biogas has changed over time. During the first decade of the 2000s, its role was very clear: biogas was to be used as a vehicle fuel, primarily in public transport."
Liquefied biogas became particularly attractive, while much of the feedstock consisted of organic household waste. Expansion was rapid, especially in V盲stra G枚taland and Sk氓ne. This was how Sweden built up its expertise in biogas.
Around 2015, however, the sector faced what could be described as an identity crisis as the electrification of transport gained momentum. Regions that had previously championed biogas began to question its role, and the industry needed to identify new areas of application.
Ulrik Svedin
Import from Denmark
Demand for biogas from industry and heavy transport continued to increase. Denmark expanded its production substantially and began exporting biogas to Sweden.
"It was positive that demand increased, but there was a risk that Swedish production would be crowded out by imports from Denmark."
A Swedish government inquiry into biogas played an important role in shaping future policy. It concluded that biogas is a cost-effective climate measure, providing the justification for various support mechanisms. The inquiry also established that biogas should primarily replace fossil natural gas in industry and fossil-based transport fuels.
In recent years, Sweden has introduced an extensive support framework, including tax exemptions, investment grants, production incentives and support for methane reduction.
"We have, in effect, achieved almost the ideal policy framework for biogas. Probably the best in Europe," said Mats Eklund.
"Today we are seeing new facilities being built, but progress is slower than the industry would like. Profitability also remains a challenge. Many projects have proved more expensive than originally planned."
Not just gas
Mats Eklund also argued that biogas should no longer be viewed primarily as a fuel, but rather as a broader system that delivers sustainability and societal value.
"The greatest value may not lie in the gas itself. Instead, biogas contributes a range of other important benefits: preparedness and resilience, waste management and hygienisation, nutrient recycling, reduced methane emissions from agriculture and much more," said Mats Eklund.
Ulrik Svedin
