Biogas plant helps US state meet renewable targets

A new $45 million (€33 million) biogas plant has opened in the US city of Le Sueur, Minnesota.

Avant Energy is behind the project, named Hometown BioEnergy, which has the capacity to generate 8MW for local residents from manure and corn silage. Construction was completed back in November before operations at the plant began one month later.

The state of Minnesota has a renewable standard in place that requires utility companies to produce 25% of their electricity from renewable materials by 2025. This figure stood at 12% in 2012.