BIP“Džūkste” feeds nearly 2 million normal cubic metres of biomethane into the transmission system during its first year of operation
Latvia’s first publicly accessible biomethane injection point, “Džūkste”, has injected nearly 20 GWh, or approximately 2 million normal cubic metres (Nm³), of biomethane into the gas transmission system during its first year of operation, according to AS Conexus Baltic Grid (hereinafter, “Conexus”), the unified natural gas transmission and storage system operator. The steadily increasing volume of injected biomethane demonstrates both producers’ interest in using the existing gas transmission infrastructure and the growth potential of Latvia’s biomethane sector.
Latvia’s first publicly accessible biomethane injection point in Džūkste was inaugurated one year ago. By the end of 2025, nearly 2 GWh of biomethane had been injected through the facility, while during the first seven months of this year the volume reached almost 18 GWh. The total amount injected during the first year of operation has therefore approached 20 GWh, or approximately 2 million Nm³ of biomethane.
The data indicate an upward trend in biomethane injection volumes. For example, 2.1 GWh of biomethane was injected into the transmission system in January this year, while by June the volume had increased to 2.8 GWh. The volume injected in July is expected to reach approximately 3.2 GWh, making it the highest monthly biomethane injection volume recorded at Džūkste to date.
“We are currently at an important and, to some extent, historic stage in the development of Latvia’s biomethane sector, witnessing how existing gas infrastructure is adapting to new and sustainable energy sources. The results achieved during the first year of operation of the publicly accessible biomethane injection point ‘Džūkste’ confirm that we have established infrastructure that the industry genuinely needs. At the same time, this is only the beginning of a broader development process, as biomethane production and injection into Latvia’s transmission system continue to evolve and increase. By further developing infrastructure and enabling producers to deliver their biomethane to the common gas market, we are promoting the use of local renewable energy resources and supporting Latvia’s transition towards greater energy self-sufficiency and energy independence,” emphasizes Uldis Bariss, Chairman of the Management Board of Conexus.
Currently, the Džūkste biomethane injection point receives approximately three biomethane deliveries per day, corresponding to around 0.11 GWh. Delivery slots are currently reserved for an average of 14 hours per day, meaning that the facility still has available technical capacity and opportunities to increase injection volumes. If the full 24-hour operating cycle were utilized, the injection volume could theoretically reach approximately 0.2 GWh per day, or around 6 GWh per month. Actual volumes will depend on the development of biomethane production, the number of suppliers, and the intensity of use of the injection point.
The Džūkste biomethane injection point operates according to the virtual pipeline principle. Biomethane produced at various locations across Latvia is compressed, transported in specialized containers, and delivered to the injection point. This enables producers without a direct connection to the gas network to access the transmission system, particularly where the construction of an individual grid connection would not be economically viable. Total investment in the Džūkste biomethane injection point amounted to €1.7 million, of which €1.5 million was co-financed through the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility.
It should be noted that Conexus continues to expand the network of publicly accessible biomethane injection points. In July this year, construction began on Latvia’s second publicly accessible biomethane injection point, “Rēzekne”, located in Ozolmuiža Parish, Rēzekne Municipality. Similar to the Džūkste facility, the Rēzekne injection point will operate in automatic mode, providing pressure reduction of delivered biomethane, gas heating and injection into the transmission system, as well as gas metering and quality control.
