Polska Grupa Biogazowa (a subsidiary of TotalEnergies a European multi-energy leader) has opened its 20th investment in the town of Półwieś, located in the Warmian-Masurian Poland Voivodeship. The latest investment will produce 8.3 GWh of electricity and 8 GWh of heat annually, enough to power 3,000 Polish households.
Biogas is an essential fuel that constitutes a key element of the energy transition in Poland. Renewable gas is not only a response to climate challenges but also a way to increase the country’s energy security. Poland has the fifth largest biomass potential for biomethan production among EU member states. According to European Commission analyses, the potential for biogas production in Poland will reach 3.3 billion m³/year by 2030, with 1.2 billion m³ from agricultural waste and 1.1 billion m³ from animal manure. Achieving this level, however, requires substantial investments. Therefore, PGB, being a leader in its industry in Poland, aims to stimulate the domestic biogas and biomethane market.
The ceremonial inauguration of the biogas plant in Półwieś took place on November 5th. The ceremony was attended by representatives of local authorities and members of PGB S.A. management board. The opening of another facility is an important step in the strategy for the development of green energy in Poland and highlights the company’s commitment to building a sustainable energy system.
„For years, PGB has been contributing to the energy transition in Poland by developing biogas technologies based on local renewable resources, enabling the production of green electricity. With a wide range of applications – from collecting organic waste, producing electricity and heat, to using digestate as a natural fertilizer – biogas energy is a crucial link in the circular economy. The development of biogas plants not only promotes renewable energy but also creates new jobs, thereby contributing to the development of the local economy”
– says Łukasz Semeniuk, General Director of Polska Grupa Biogazowa.
The latest investment by PGB not only benefits local farmers and processors but also protects the environment by efficiently managing organic waste and converting it into clean energy. According to PGB’s calculations, the asset will produced an electricity with a reduced carbon footprint of 67 % compared to classic methods of generating electricity in Poland. Additionally, thanks to the cogeneration process, the biogas plant not only supplies energy but also offers a unique wood drying service, ideal for furniture manufacturers and carpentry workshops. Utilizing advanced technology, this translates into efficient and eco-friendly operations. The digestate resulting from the methane fermentation process is rich in micro- and macroelements such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, creating a natural fertilizer that is more environmentally friendly than traditional manure.
“I am proud that the Iława County is a regional leader in the number of such installations. This is already the third installation of the Polish Biogas Group and the fourth in the entire Iława County. We are definitely a bright, green spot on the map of the voivodeship and a good example for other counties. Biogas plants are the future because they convert biodegradable waste into thermal energy, which can be used, among other things, for the wood drying process. This is very important in our typically agricultural voivodeship, where the wood industry is an intelligent specialization included in the region’s development strategy. We must jointly promote such solutions. We face a necessary energy transformation and the path to biogas and biomethane, which is why further development of such investments is essential,”
– says Mateusz Szauer, Deputy Voivode of Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship.
Polska Grupa Biogazowa currently owns and operates 20 biogas plants with a total capacity of 21MW. Approximately 50 projects are in advanced stages of development, and several dozen more are in the planning phase.
„Currently, PGB produces 0.4 TWh of energy annually in its biogas plants, with an ambitious goal to multiply this production several times by 2030. It is worth emphasizing that the dynamic development of the biogas and biomethane sector largely depends on appropriate legal regulations and financial support. Therefore, it is crucial to implement the announced changes and support system for biomethane installations with a capacity above 1 MW. In our opinion, it is more efficient to use biogas by producing biomethane, and this is the main direction of our investment plans.”
– emphasized Tomasz Strzelecki Investment Director in PGB Inwestycje Sp. z o.o
About Polska Grupa Biogazowa
PGB specializes in the combined production of heat and electricity from biogas in Poland and employs over 180 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 44 chamber dryers and 6 belt dryers.
TotalEnergies and Biogas
TotalEnergies is a leading company in the European biogas segment with production capacity of 1.1 TWh. The Company aims to become a major player in this segment across several key markets, particularly in Europe and the United States by joining forces with leading partners such as Clean Energy and Veolia, to reach its objective of producing 10 TWh of biomethane by 2030. It is active across the entire value chain, from project development to marketing of this renewable gas and its byproducts, including biofertilizers and bioCO2.
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.