The Ministry of the Environment has awarded a discretionary government grant for the expansion of Mäntsälän Biovoima’s biogas plant. The expansion responds to the growing need to increase domestic energy production and fertiliser security of supply. The project aims to increase the plant’s biogas production from around 17 to around 34 gigawatt-hours.
Mäntsälän Biovoima Oy (MBV) operates a biogas plant in Mäntsälä. It receives and processes biodegradable waste, producing renewable energy and fertilisers. The ministry’s grant decision allows the expansion project to proceed to detailed planning.
The planned expansion will improve the recovery and recycling of organic matter and nutrients from sewage sludge. After completion, the new fertiliser fraction at MBV’s plant will recycle 120,000 kg of nitrogen annually and enable more than 400 hectares of farmland to be cultivated using domestic organic recycled nutrients.
Biogas produced at the expanded plant will be upgraded to biomethane and injected into the national gas network, replacing fossil natural gas. In transport, for example, its biomethane could replace around 3 million litres of petrol a year.
Mäntsälän Biovoima’s majority owner is Finnish energy company Auris Energy, which sells and distributes natural gas and biogas and provides energy as a service. MBV’s other owners are Watrec Oy and Nivos Oy.
“Auris Energy is investing strongly in the growth of the biogas market, as demonstrated by its commitment to developing local production in Mäntsälä,” Auris’s Renewable Gas Development Manager Jani Hautaluoma explains.
“Auris has extensive experience in gas and different energy services. The company is committed to rapidly and significantly reducing emissions from both its own and its customers’ operations. In the gas market, this includes moving from fossil natural gas towards biogas and other renewable gases.”
Planning of the approximately €8 million expansion investment will begin in April 2024. The investment decision will be made later in 2024. The expansion is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.
Further information:
Jani Hautaluoma, Renewable Gas Development, Auris Energia Oy
jani.hautaluoma@aurisenergia.fi
Maria Elojärvi, Communications Director, Auris Energia Oy
maria.elojarvi@aurisenergia.fi