The National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC) has announced a new regulatory framework that governs the connection of renewable gas production facilities—such as biomethane or green hydrogen—to the gas system. The measure, announced in its Circular 2/2025, It seeks to simplify and accelerate the process of integrating these gases into the grid at a time of momentum toward decarbonization of the Spanish economy.
Updates the process for processing applications for access and connection of renewable gas production facilities—such as biomethane and hydrogen—to natural gas transmission and distribution networks.
The new regulatory framework, published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on April 16, updates the process for processing applications for access to and connection of renewable gas production facilities to the natural gas transmission and distribution networks. It comes into force this month and represents a decisive step toward facilitating the integration of these gases into the Spanish energy system.
This new procedure replaces the one approved in 2016 and responds to the need to adapt to the growing interest in renewable gases, aligning itself with the most recent European regulations: Regulation (EU) 2024/1789 and Directive (EU) 2024/1788, currently being transposed in Spain.
Updates on the new framework to accelerate the connection of renewable gases to the grid
Greater transparency and homogeneity: Uniform technical and administrative criteria are established for evaluating connection applications, reducing uncertainty for project developers.
Accessible information: Operators will be required to publish key information on their websites regarding injection capacity and viable connection points, facilitating the planning of new developments.
Coordination between networks: Collaboration between transport and distribution operators is strengthened, especially in cases where simultaneous connection to both networks is required.
Figure of the virtual delivery point: This new modality is being regulated, allowing several producers to share a connection infrastructure, which could be key to making projects viable in rural areas or areas with lower industrial density.
The CNMC points out that this regulation "lays the foundation for the massive deployment of renewable gases" in the Spanish gas grid and contributes to the objectives of the PNIEC, which sets an injection of 10,4 TWh of biomethane per year by 2030.
With this initiative, Spain is moving toward a more streamlined, transparent, and favorable regulatory framework for investors and developers in the renewable gas sector. This move, eagerly awaited by the industry, comes at a key moment to unlock numerous projects currently in the pipeline or seeking financing.
