Bagdad (Poland), September 26, 2024 – Polska Grupa Biogazowa (a subsidiary of TotalEnergies) has launched its latest, 19th investment in the town of Bagdad, located in the Greater Poland Voivodeship. The Bagdad biogas plant employs the latest technologies to annually produce 8.3 GWh of electricity and 8 GWh of heat, enough to power 3,000 Polish households.
The opening of the biogas plant marks another important step in the development strategy for green energy in Poland and underscores PGB’s commitment to build a sustainable energy system. Biogas is a crucial fuel that plays a key role in Poland’s energy transition. As a renewable energy source, it has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby contributing to the achievement of climate goals. Poland possesses the fifth largest biomass potential for biogas production among EU member states. PGB, a leading player in its sector in Poland, aims to invigorate the domestic biogas and biomethane market.
The official inauguration of the Bagdad biogas plant took place on September 26. Attendees included local government representatives, members of the PGB management board, representatives from TotalEnergies, and Étienne de Poncins, the French Ambassador to Poland.
“For years, PGB has been contributing to Poland’s energy transition through the continuous development of biogas technology, based on locally produced renewable raw materials, enabling the generation of green electricity. Thanks to its wide range of applications, from organic waste collection to the production of electricity, heat, and digestate as natural fertilizer, biogas energy is an essential element of the circular economy. It benefits the entire local community, and the newly opened investment in the town of Bagdad in the North of Poland is a perfect example of this,”
– said Łukasz Semeniuk, General Director of Polska Grupa Biogazowa.
PGB’s latest investment not only benefits local farmers and processors but also protects the environment by efficiently managing organic waste and converting it into clean energy. Through the cogeneration process, the biogas plant not only supplies energy but also offers a unique wood-drying service, ideal for furniture manufacturers and sawmills. The digestate produced through methane fermentation is rich in micro- and macronutrients, such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, creating a natural fertilizer that is more environmentally friendly than traditional manure.
“We believe that this development will bring mutual economic benefits to our farmers, residents, municipality and of course the Investor. We count on good cooperation between the Investor, the residents and the municipality of Wyrzysk and common respect for social and economic comforts. This venture will certainly contribute to the further economic development of our municipality and will be a motivation for other companies to invest in our area and around the planned S10 expressway. I wish the Company economic success and effective bio-energy operation in our municipality, and I encourage to cooperate with the municipality of Wyrzysk not only on a professional, but also social and educational basis, which will allow our community to get closer to and understand better both the needs and benefits of the Biogas Plant functioning on our area”
– said Wiesław Nowicki Deputy Mayor of Wyrzysk.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, Polska Grupa Biogazowa also plans to open another biogas plant, this time in Półwieś. With these new installations, the number of PGB-operated biogas plants will increase to 20, with a total capacity of 21 MW.
– “Approximately 50 projects are currently in advanced stages of development, with several dozen more in the planning phase. At present, across all its biogas plants, PGB produces 0.4 TWh of energy annually. The goal is to multiply production by 2030. It is important to note that the rapid development of the biogas and biomethane sector, however, is largely dependent on legal and financial conditions. We are hoping that the promised support system for biomethane installations above 1 MW will come into force in the coming months. In our opinion, utilizing biogas by producing biomethane is more efficient, and our investment plans are primarily heading in this direction,”
– emphasized Sabine Dujacquier, Deputy General Director of Polska Grupa Biogazowa.
About Polska Grupa Biogazowa
PGB specializes in the combined production of heat and electricity from biogas in Poland and employs over 170 people. It is part of the global company TotalEnergies, the largest biomethane producer in France and a leader in biogas production in the European market. In 2022, TotalEnergies ranked third worldwide in renewable energy investments.
PGB began operations in 2007, initiated by specialists with extensive experience in renewables. Its core activity is the production of electricity and heat from biogas – and ultimately biomethane, injected into the gas network – while adhering to the highest safety and sustainability standards. The Group also provides services related to this production. In line with the principles of a circular economy, PGB offers farms the management of organic waste and the use of digestate for crop fertilization. Additionally, most PGB facilities are equipped with modern and environmentally friendly wood-drying systems. These currently include 41 chamber dryers and 6 belt dryers.
About TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies is a global integrated energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to provide as many people as possible with energy that is more reliable, more affordable and more sustainable. Active in about 120 countries, TotalEnergies places sustainability at the heart of its strategy, its projects and its operations.