EnviTec, BVS launch mega biogas project in Sweden

With the official groundbreaking ceremony, Biogas Västra Skaraborg AB (BVS) – together with EnviTec and other partners – have launched the construction phase of its first combined biogas and gas upgrading plant in Vara, Sweden.

“With the plant we are delivering for BVS, we will produce up to 70 GWh of biomethane per year – a real milestone for us in the Swedish market,” says Maurice Markerink, Managing Director of EnviTec Plant Construction.

The BVS plant – operated by a cooperative of local farmers – will use pig and cattle manure as well as other agricultural residues from the region as feedstock. “The plant is designed to process a total of about 370,000 tons of feedstock per year,” Markerink continues. “With this project, we are jointly fostering rural development and unlocking the vast potential of bioenergy production for the transport, maritime and industry sector. Together with EnviTec and our other partners we are making our Fully Green LBG available in the whole Nordics,” adds Tomas Carlmon from Biogas Västra Skaraborg AB.

Before reaching the final product, several technical milestones must be met. “To ensure optimal retention times for the different feedstocks, the planned five digesters of the facility will be fed separately,” explains Markerink. In total, the plant features a digester capacity of nearly 32,000 m³.

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The EnviThan gas upgrading plant is designed to produce up to 70 GWh of biomethane per year for the production of bio-LNG. “To achieve this, we are partnering with the Dutch bio-LNG specialist Nordsol,” adds Markerink. The EnviThan technology upgrades the biomethane to 98 percent CH₄. Nordsol’s process allows for further purification and robust biomethane liquefaction.

The large-scale project is supported by the Swedish climate investment scheme Klimatklivet. Administered by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, the program supports investments that result in a permanent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Sweden, particularly in the fields of transport, energy and heating, agriculture, and the use of waste and residues for biogas.

The Swedish biomethane market is largely decentralized, comprising numerous small local and regional networks, biogas plants and filling stations.