Weltec Biopower acquires 3.3MW biogas plant

Weltec Biopower's subsidiary Nordmethan has acquired a decommissioned biogas plant in Germany.

The German biogas plant manufacturer will invest €2 million in the renovation of the combined heat and power (CHP) facility, which is located in Falkenhagen, Brandenburg and will use mainly maize silage and pig manure.

The company hopes that the plant, which has power generation capacity of 3.3MW, will become operational towards the end of 2016.

The power generated will be supplied to the grid and the exhaust heat will be used for the digestate drying process.

The move builds on Weltec acquisition of two biomethane refineries in 2015. It said that if things develop as expected, it might expand its biomethane refinery and biogas plant operations.

Speaking about the plant, Jens Albartus, director of Weltec Biopower, said: "The biogas plant features a concept that we can build on."

In a statement, the firm said: "One of the reasons for the purchase was that due to Nordmethan's nearby biomethane plant, the company has long-standing contacts with local farmers. Thus, it was easy to find regional partners to supply substrates – primarily maize silage and pig manure – for the Falkenhagen site."