On 27 February 2026, Romania enforced Government Emergency Ordinance (GEO) 9/2026, integrating the biomethane and biogas regime into the nation’s regulatory framework as part of the EU's ongoing efforts to decarbonise the energy sector. The Romanian government has set a target of a minimum 5% biomethane share in the volume of gas transported through the national transmission system and distribution systems by 2030. The integration of biomethane into the gas network enables industrial operators to partially substitute natural gas with biomethane, reducing their obligations under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) must revise its regulatory framework within 90 days with quality conditions for biomethane to be approved within 120 days.
The GEO introduces new definitions for biogas and biomethane. Biogas is defined as the gaseous fuel produced from biomass while biomethane is biogas that meets the quality requirements necessary for injection into natural gas transmission and distribution networks. The biomethane injection system is defined as the assembly of pressure regulation equipment, gas quality determination, gross calorific value (GCV) adjustment, odorisation, and measurement and telemetry equipment.
Licences and authorisations
The GEO also gives holders of natural gas supply licences the possibility to carry out biomethane supply activities based on the same licence, provided that this activity is clearly reflected in the reports required under ANRE regulations. Similarly, natural gas trading licence holders can conduct biomethane trading activities under the same condition. The GEO also provides for the introduction of receiving authorisation to set up biogas and biomethane storage, and for a licence to operate biogas or biomethane production and storage facilities.
Biomethane producers
A biomethane producer is defined as a natural or legal person whose specific activity is the production of biomethane that can, from a technical and safety perspective, be injected into the relevant systems. Biomethane producers must hold the necessary authorisations for establishing production facilities, ensure quality and odorisation of biomethane delivered to the downstream system, bear the costs of all works necessary to achieve connection and pay the applicable tariffs for the use of distribution and transmission systems. Producers have the right to market biomethane produced within their facilities and to request access and connection to natural gas distribution and transmission systems.
System operators
The Transmission System Operator (TSO) must connect new or existing biomethane production facilities to the transmission system, subject to transmission capacities and compliance with technological regimes. The TSO may restrict or stop the injection of biomethane that does not meet the required technical parameters or quality conditions and may interrupt biomethane offtake where necessary for maintenance or planned works.
The Distribution System Operator (DSO) must ensure access and connection for biomethane injection. Where necessary, the distributor must ensure the increase of distribution system capacity or system extension to allow biomethane offtake with the producer bearing all related costs. The DSO has similar rights to the TSO regarding refusal, restriction or interruption of biomethane injection.
Connection and financing
The GEO introduces new categories of applicants eligible for connection to upstream supply pipelines and the transmission system, including biomethane sector actors. The distribution or transmission operator can not refuse connection requests. Biomethane producers bear the costs of the biomethane injection facility and connection works to downstream system objectives.
Support schemes for financing biomethane production projects will be established by the relevant ministry in line with national and European state aid rules. Eligibility is subject to submitting the funding application before project works commence according to the principle of incentive effect and companies in difficulty are not eligible for state aid. Funding will be provided from non-reimbursable and reimbursable external sources. Assets resulting from connection works financed by the producer or through support schemes must be transferred free of charge to the respective operator.
Conclusion
GEO 9/2026 lays the foundation for Romania to exploit its significant biomethane potential, improve energy security and reduce dependence on fossil gas. By establishing a predictable and coherent regulatory environment, investors, operators and public authorities can contribute effectively to the decarbonisation of the energy sector and the broader commitments undertaken at the European level.
Romania is rapidly becoming an attractive market for investments in biomethane thanks to its significant technical potential of 5.5 billion m3 per year by 2040, one of the highest in the EU according to the European Biogas Association’s 2024 State of Play of Biogas & Biomethane in Europe report, and capable of replacing 25% of current gas imports as indicated in EPG’s 2025 Meeting Romania’s Biomethane Moment analysis. This is complemented by an additional annual technical potential of 501 ktep from agricultural, livestock and municipal resources, as outlined in the GEO’s Explanatory Note. In addition, GEO 9/2026 introduces a clear and functional framework for project development, accelerating the investments required to meet the 5% biomethane injection target for 2030 set out in Romania’s Energy Strategy 2025-2035.
For investors looking to enter the biomethane market, these elements position Romania as a compelling market.
For more information on this topic, you can contact the CMS local experts Varinia Radu and Raluca Diaconeasa.
This article has been co-authored by Alexandra Mihai, Lawyer.
