New biogas plants for Czech Republic

Two 999kW biogas plants have opened in the Czech Republic locations of Velké Meziříčí and Velká Bíteš.

The first plant, based in Velké Meziříčí and owned by Energoklastr CTT, handles corn silage, cattle slurry and manure, and sugar beet pulp sourced from local farmers. The energy generated from these materials will soon be used to heat a number of local buildings, including a school and nearby business.

BC Energy owns and operates the second biogas facility in Velká Bíteš, which will supply green energy produced from cow slurry and manure to the urban heating system.

Germany-headquartered EnviTec Biogas delivered both plants, which were put into operation last December.

Roel Slotman, head of sales at the board of management at EnviTec Biogas, says: 'The potential of the Czech Republic for biogas continues to be large. However, the defined climate objectives for 2013 were attained and the government thus reduced its subsidies for renewable energy to zero.'

There are currently around 360 biogas plants in the Czech Republic with a rated electrical output of 258MW. So far in the nation, biogas is mainly used for electricity generation. The upgrading to biomethane and supply to the natural gas grid continues to be a future trend because there are no supply regulations.