Bioforce Opened the Ebavere Biomethane Plant Today
Today, Estonia's most modern biomethane facility was opened in Ebavere, Lääne-Viru County, capable of processing up to 130,000 tonnes of biodegradable materials annually and ensuring fuel supplies equivalent to more than 80 gas buses' annual fuel consumption of approximately 36,000 MWh.Bioforce Groupinvested close to 10 million euros in the construction of the facility.
Biomethane is an environmentally friendly methane-rich gaseous fuel produced from various biodegradable materials and can be used anywhere natural gas is consumed. "The Ebavere biomethane facility increases energy supply security and contributes to meeting climate targets. During the decomposition of organic materials and stored animal manure, methane gas is released directly into the atmosphere, where it is at least 28 times more harmful to the environment as a greenhouse gas compared to CO₂. Therefore, it is important to direct these waste materials to the facility where they are processed," said Bioforce Group board chairman Henry Uljas.
According to Uljas, biomethane production is a good example of the circular economy in every way. "Using the facility's innovative technologies, we process agricultural by-products from nearby farms into environmentally friendly transport fuel. This fuel can also be refueled at the nearby Kaarma gas station, where Bioforce built a special compressed gas station. As a by-product of the production process, fermentation residue or digestate is also created, which in turn is a fertilizer for fields."
Minister Madis Kallas highlighted in his welcome speech that green fuel produced in Estonia helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels and improves energy security. "Such investments help reduce the environmental footprint and make the best use of local opportunities for energy production. Biomethane production helps, among other things, diversify our energy sources and accelerate the adoption of green energy," said Kallas.
Väike-Maarja municipality mayor Indrek Keskküla, who attended the opening, said: "Väike-Maarja municipality is a strong agricultural region. Our people and valuable soil are our wealth. Technology is developing and now the manure generated in livestock farming doesn't go directly to the fields, but makes a small tour to Ebavere biogas facility. There biomethane is extracted and the manure gets a new beautiful name – digestate. According to expectations, digestate will allow us to fertilize our grain fields more optimally and with its help, the sensitive groundwater in this region is better protected. Thanks to Bioforce OÜ's activities, it is possible to refuel vehicles with gas in Ebavere, meaning we are also that much richer."
Bioforce Group, which engages in the development, construction and operation of biomethane facilities and compressed gas stations, now has two biomethane productions in Ebavere and Arvel, and one biomethane facility in Laatra, Valga County is under construction. By 2028, the group's team has set itself the goal of at least 600 GWh biomethane production, which would cover all natural gas consumption in Estonia's transport sector.
Bioforce production belongs to the same group as Bioforce Infra OÜ, which is also the owner and operator of Tallinn gas bus stations and a long-term partner of AS Tallinna Linnatransport. Green gas from Ebavere will be supplied in CNG containers to Tallinn's environmentally friendly buses.
