Turkey has the potential to produce up to 10 billion cubic metres (bcm) of renewable biomethane per year by 2040 if existing biogas and landfill gas facilities are upgraded, according to a new report by sectoral association Biyoyatder (Biomethanization and Organic Waste Processing Plants Investors Association).
The country currently operates 101 biogas facilities and 97 landfill gas plants. Biyoyatder projects that upgrades could see biomethane production reach 3 bcm by 2030, 5 bcm by 2035 and 10 bcm by 2040.
The increased use of renewable gas could also reduce emissions from organic waste and lower dependence on fossil fuel imports by up to 30 million tonnes per year if the facilities operate at full capacity.
Biomethane is produced by upgrading biogas generated from organic waste and removing impurities including carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and moisture. The resulting gas has properties similar to natural gas and can be used as a renewable fuel.
When stored in open areas or lagoons, organic waste releases methane, a far more potent greenhouse gas than CO2.
Directing this waste to biogas plants through collection systems would prevent methane emissions that would otherwise arise from unmanaged waste, according to Cemil Direkci, chairperson of the board at Biyoyatder, speaking with Anadolu Agency.
The 101 biogas plants licensed by Turkey’s Energy Market Regulatory Authority currently process around 10 million tonnes of organic waste per year and prevent approximately 18 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Biyoyatder estimates that converting the existing facilities to biomethane production could increase annual emissions reductions to 30 million tonnes if they operate at full capacity.
The association is also calling for policy measures to support the development of the sector, including 12-year purchase guarantees for biomethane producers and a minimum floor price of €60/MWh ($69/MWh), adjusted annually for eurozone inflation.
It has also proposed allowing licensed biomethane producers to sell directly into the market or export the gas, subject to technical requirements.
Direkci said greater use of renewable gas could reduce Turkey’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, particularly in transportation and logistics.
He also argued that greater use of domestic biomethane could help Turkish industry address carbon-related costs associated with trade with the European Union.
Biomass potential
The proposals come as Turkey looks to make greater use of domestic energy resources. The Turkish-German Energy Partnership has previously highlighted the country’s biomass potential.
Turkey imported around 95.85% of its natural gas requirements in 2024, according to the partnership.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has also identified biogas and biomethane as potential contributors to energy security, waste management and emissions reductions.
Its global assessment includes agricultural residues, animal manure, municipal and industrial waste among the potential feedstocks for biomethane production.
The IEA’s latest assessment, published in 2026, maps sustainable technical potential across more than 40 feedstock types while excluding resources that would directly compete with food or animal feed production.
It identifies waste-derived biogas as offering a potential “double dividend” by reducing methane emissions from waste and agriculture while displacing conventional fuels.
