In Radviliškis district, village of Alksniupiai, a new biomethane power plant of „Agrokoncerno“ group is starting up which produces energy from animal waste generated on farms. Animal manure and slurry are processed into biogas, which, after being purified to the required level, is transferred to the main gas pipeline operated by the Amber Grid company.
Ramūnas Karbauskis, the owner of the „Agroconcerno“ group, says that this is another important strategic project. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ensure sustainable farm operations and contribute to strengthening the country’s energy independence by producing local biomethane gas.
“This project not only contributes to mitigating climate change, but also helps to modernize the Lithuanian energy sector. Energy obtained from renewable sources also reduces energy dependence on other countries, and also helps to preserve and clean the environment, and more sustainable farming,” he said.
The biomethane power plant is built next to „Draugas“, an agricultural company engaged in animal husbandry and belonging to the „Agrokoncerno“ group. Waste that normally poses environmental challenges is given for recycling.
This process makes it possible to significantly reduce the release of methane gas into the atmosphere, thus protecting the ozone layer. After processing animal waste, the remaining material is used as fertilizer, which is more environmentally friendly and no longer emits an unpleasant smell. The odor emissions of the treated substrate are reduced by 80-85% compared to untreated manure.
According to the director of the biomethane power plant, Justas Sadzevičius, processed manure and slurry return to the fields as organic fertilizers, thus ensuring a sustainable agricultural cycle and a cleaner environment for residents.
It is planned to use about 110 thousand tons of animal waste generated on farms and about 2.45 million cubic meters of biomethane per year. This amount of gas is enough to provide heat energy for about 3,000 houses for a year. The power plant is staffed by 4 employees who ensure smooth operation and process safety.
This biomethane power plant belonging to the “Agrokoncerno” group is the first of four planned to be built. The second one is being designed next to one of the largest and most modern cow farm complexes in Europe, which is currently under construction, in the village of Bebrujai, Radviliškis district.
“In the Bebrujai power plant under construction, the processed animal waste will be processed into methane gas. A special transport will transport the gas to the already installed biomethane power plant in the village of Alksniupiai, where, using the existing inlet node, the gas will enter the main gas pipeline. Other power plants that will not have a direct connection to the main natural gas pipeline will also operate on the same principle,” explains Justas Sadzevičius.
The biomethane production process is audited and certified, thereby confirming that the requirements of the European Union’s program for the promotion of renewable energy resources are met. An EU-approved certificate of guarantee of origin is issued for every unit of gas energy (MWh) of biomethane produced.
The biomethane power plant project was implemented by the Lithuanian company „Biokona“, a builder of biogas and biomethane power plants. This project was funded by the European Union.
