Good news for biomethane projects in Spain
On June 13, 2025, the National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC) approved new regulations that unify and clarify the procedure for connecting renewable gas plants—such as biomethane and green hydrogen—to the natural gas grid. The resolution, published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) and effective since July 1, clarifies a key aspect for the development of the sector: how to manage connections to the gas grid in a transparent, efficient manner, with guarantees for all stakeholders.
A long-awaited step by project promoters, it establishes clear criteria, specific deadlines, and digital tools that will provide legal certainty and administrative agility so that biomethane projects in the pipeline can move forward and become a reality. This is, without a doubt, one of those technical pieces that, although subtle, makes the difference between the sector moving forward or remaining stuck.
The resolution, published in the BOE on 23 June, came into force on July 1, 2025 and expressly repeals the previous regulations of April 2024, which covered only biomethane. Its scope includes both biomethane like other gases such as hydrogen, whether green or gray.
Main new features of the procedure
- Unification of the process
Administrative procedures are simplified through a single procedure for all renewable and low-carbon gases, in line with Article 14 of Circular 2/2025. - Differentiation according to whether or not it is mixed with natural gas
- For gases that do not require mixing (such as some pure hydrogen or biomethane installations on different networks), are processed in chronological order. The operator must respond within a maximum period of 45 working days after the complete submission of the application.
- For gases that yes they mix With natural gas (such as directly injected hydrogen), the selection will be Annual Pass and through a three-phase procedure. Technical project maturity criteria will be applied, and applications will be ranked based on a score (0–10).
- Transparency and digital traceability
The main transport and distribution networks must have public and free platforms before the 1th October 2025, where requests will be managed and their status monitored. They must also publish maps, flow histories, available capacity, and calculation protocols. - Rights and obligations
- The right to contract the connection is established after its acceptance.
- The network owner can charge up to 3 € for the connection budget, applying the same rate to all applicants. If the application is denied, this amount must be returned.
- Applicants have a deadline of 60 working days to accept the quote and pay an initial 10% deposit (up to €100).
- Injection point registration and traceability
Two months before the start of injection, the operator will request registration of the point in the third-party access logistics system (SL-ATR), and the point will thus be formally enabled for access to the Virtual Balancing Point.