The joint project inaugurated the facility in Kujala, Lahti, on Thursday March 5, 2015. The site is a prime example of the promotion of circular economy as it will produce 50 GWh of upgraded biogas from 44,000 tons of waste per year, and is the largest producer of upgraded biogas in Finland in terms of production capacity.
The facility has an annual capacity for 80,000 tons, of which an annual total of 44,000 biodegradable waste will be processed by the biogas production facility. The facility’s annual biogas production potential totals 50 GWh: enough to cover the annual energy consumption of 140 buses, 4,500 cars or 2,000 detached houses.
“The conversion of local waste materials into energy and new raw materials is a prime example of resource wisdom based on the circular economy. Our partnership with Gasum has been hugely beneficial in the construction of this facility that required high levels of expertise,” said LABIO CEO Ari Savolainen.
“Stricter emission regulations, separate emission targets and consumers’ increased environmental awareness will increase the demand for biogas solutions in the future. In addition to demand, the efficient development of the biogas market will require cooperation models like this as well as increases in biogas production,” added Pasi Torri, Business Development Manager, Biogas and Transport Solutions, Gasum.
The commissioning of the Kujala biogas facility began in October 2014, and full production capacity will be reached in phases by 2016. In addition to Kujala, Gasum feeds biogas into the gas network from Mäkikylä, Kouvola, and Suomenoja, Espoo.
Source: Gasum.