The new power plant at Buczek in Poland, built by Bioelektrownia Buczek, produces electrical energy from biogas generated during decomposition of agricultural waste. This will contribute to meeting Poland's international obligations for renewable energy production, as well as supporting implementation of the country's energy policy for the period up to 2030.
- 15 September 2015
The plant is designed to produce biogas from waste from different branches of agriculture and food processing. Plant and animal residues in liquid, semi-liquid and solid form all undergo decomposition in controlled conditions before being processed into biogas.
The subsequent fuel obtained is 60 % methane and 40 % carbon dioxide. It is used to power generators that can generate electricity and heat with its total power output of 1.8 megawatts. The project has the potential to generate 12 508.30 megawatt hours of electrical energy per year.
Reducing risks from waste
Using waste products to produce biogas simultaneously reduces risks from potentially harmful food production materials which, otherwise, could contaminate and pollute nearby environments. The use of alternative disposal methods for waste products from the food production industry is one of the project's main good practices.
The plant also decreases consumption of non-renewable energy resources, such as coal, while increasing energy efficiency and recycling. Bioelektrownia Buczek has now signed a letter of intent to ensure a long-term supply of feedstuffs and fermentation residues for continued biogas production.
A plant for the future
The biogas plant consists of production and social facilities, an internal transport road, all relevant infrastructure including a transformer station and industrial-strength scales for measuring input and output.
The production buildings contain the main components of the power plant, including generators and a heat recovery unit to produce heat for sterilisation of waste products, while storage tanks are situated around the buildings.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Construction of Biogas Power Plant Buczek” is EUR 8 421 485, of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund is contributing EUR 4 690 445 from the Operational Programme “Infrastructure and Environment” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period.