The new biogas plant in Moldava nad Bodvou is another milestone of the ENGIE Group on the way to sustainable energy

In 2022, the ENGIE Group acquired ownership of a biogas plant, which it successfully renovated and transformed into an efficient source of green energy. The station is now ready for full operation, with the aim of reducing the negative impact of energy production on the environment and promoting decarbonisation in the region.

Modernisation of the biogas plant in Moldava nad Bodvou was necessary

The biogas plant in Moldava nad Bodvou (BPS Moldava) was not operated by the original owner for a long period of time, and so the ENGIE Group had to reconstruct it after taking it over. “The modernisation of the building and technology was necessary not only because of the non-functionality of the equipment, but especially in terms of their technical obsolescence. The renovation was carried out during the summer of 2023 and all work was completed in March this year. We anticipate the gradual commissioning of the BPS in the coming months,” says Miroslav Mravec, Investment Director of ENGIE Group.

How does the biogas plant in Moldava work?

BPS Moldava used to process mainly corn silage and chicken manure. Today, in addition to these materials, manure, sanitised biodegradable waste and whey are also used for fuel. The biogas itself is produced in a concrete tank called a digester, which is equipped with heating and agitators. The biogas is desulphurised and cooled before being used as an energy source. Finally, electricity and heat are produced in the cogeneration unit.

Technical information about BPS Moldava

Installed capacity:

  • Electrical power: 999 kWe
  • Thermal output: 1 127 kW

Biogas production: 3 500 000 m3/year

Planned annual energy production

  • Electricity: 6 500 MWh/year
  • Heat: 7 300 MWh/year
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Intent

The started operation of the BPS Moldava will ensure the production of electricity, which will be supplied to the public grid and also used for own consumption in the technological process. The heat produced will be used in the Moldava nad Bodvou district heating system.

“BPS Moldava is a pilot project for the ENGIE Group in Slovakia within the framework of combined production of electricity and heat from biogas. Our aim is to reduce the carbon footprint of local resources in agriculture, in particular by reducing the release of methane into the air through the use of waste from livestock production. In addition, in the future we plan to produce biomethane through the Moldava BPS, which will allow us to partially replace natural gas in our heating plants with this environmentally friendly fuel, thus meeting our decarbonisation targets in the energy sector. We also want to produce biomethane from biodegradable waste, which would otherwise end up in landfills and disproportionately burden the environment,” explains Miroslav Mravec.

The start of operation of BPS Moldava is only the beginning

“In addition, we are planning to build a new terminal warehouse and convert the existing terminal warehouse into a dofermentor in the future. Furthermore, the construction of the aforementioned biomethane station and the injection of this fuel into the public network. The aim will be to increase biogas production by around 50 % compared to the current situation,’ concludes Miroslav Mravec.

Engie