Large-scale funding of €30 million earmarked for biomethane production facility
In the heart of Portugal, Leiria is set to witness a significant transformation with the upcoming biomethane plant project by Genia Bioenergy. This ambitious venture, which initially involves using pig effluent as raw material, aims to produce green gas and promote a circular economy.
Carlos Valente, Genia Bioenergy's territorial director in Portugal, revealed the details of the project. The plant's primary focus is on biomethane, a clean and renewable energy source, and organic fertilizers for the market. The biomethane, once produced, will be fed into the grid and distributed to both industrial and domestic consumers.
The system designed for the plant allows for the recovery and reintroduction of water at a lower cost, further promoting the principles of a circular economy. This sustainable solution for agricultural effluent treatment, as stated by Environment Councillor Luís Lopes, is expected to provide significant environmental and economic benefits.
The project, however, is not without its challenges. The mayor of Leiria, Gonçalo Lopes, has called for a faster response from the authorities due to the large investments involved. The future biomethane plant project is currently awaiting licensing from the authorities overseeing the sector.
In a positive development, Genia Bioenergy and Floene have signed a contract to connect the future biomethane plant to the grid. The project timeline also includes the production of organic fertilizers for the market.
The initial investment for the project was 25 million euros, but it has now increased to 30 million euros. Despite the increased investment, Genia Bioenergy has chosen to move forward with the detailed project, taking all associated risks.
According to Gabriel Sousa, CEO of Floene, consumers will be able to consume green gas without needing to change their water heaters or gas installations. This ease of adoption is expected to make the transition to renewable energy smoother for the residents of Leiria.
As the project nears completion, it is hoped that the biomethane plant in Leiria will serve as a model for sustainable energy production and circular economy practices in Portugal and beyond. The project is almost the final step, and with a positive response from the authorities, it may indeed become a reality by the end of the year.
- The biomethane plant project in Leiria, Portugal, led by Genia Bioenergy, will not only produce green gas from pig effluent but also generate organic fertilizers for the market, contributing to both the renewable-energy industry and environmental-science sectors.
- The increased investment of 30 million euros for the biomethane plant project highlights Genia Bioenergy's commitment to advancing the production of clean, renewable energy and their willingness to take on associated risks.
- As the project progresses and regulatory approvals are secured, the future biomethane plant in Leiria is expected to provide environmental benefits (through sustainable agricultural effluent treatment) and economic benefits (by facilitating the consumption of green gas with minimal adjustments for consumers, as stated by Gabriel Sousa, CEO of Floene).
