Biogas Västra Skaraborg AB (BVS) has officially begun building its first combined biogas and gas upgrading plant in Vara, Sweden, with a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of construction, reports Renewable Energy Magazine.
The facility, developed in partnership with EnviTec Plant Construction, is expected to produce up to 70 GWh of biomethane annually. “This is a real milestone for us in the Swedish market,” said Maurice Markerink, Managing Director of EnviTec Plant Construction.
Operated by a cooperative of local farmers, the plant will use pig and cattle manure along with other agricultural residues from the region. It is designed to process around 370,000 tonnes of feedstock every year. “With this project, we are fostering rural development and unlocking the potential of bioenergy production for transport, maritime, and industry sectors,” said Tomas Carlmon of BVS. He added that the plant would help make “Fully Green LBG” available across the Nordics.
The facility will feature five digesters with a total capacity of nearly 32,000 cubic metres. Each digester will handle feedstocks separately to ensure optimal processing. To maintain hygiene, the digestate will undergo heating at over 52°C for ten hours before storage. Heat exchangers and industrial heat pumps will improve energy efficiency by recycling heat, which also helps lower the carbon intensity of the biomethane.
The project also includes cooperation with Dutch bio-LNG specialist Nordsol. EnviTec’s EnviThan technology will upgrade biomethane to 98% methane, while Nordsol’s patented Flash-2-Sweep process will purify and liquefy it into bio-LNG without using chemicals or molecular sieves.
Backed by Sweden’s climate investment program Klimatklivet, the project is expected to make a significant contribution to cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Klimatklivet, administered by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, supports large-scale investments in sustainable energy, agriculture, and transport solutions.
Sweden’s biomethane market is currently spread across small local and regional networks, with most gas transported by road in compressed form. However, liquefied biogas (Bio-LNG) and regional gas grids are growing in importance, offering new opportunities for industry and transport connections.
