The foundation stone for BIR’s biogas plant in Voss was laid. Construction started just before the summer 2024 and the plant is scheduled to be completed during the autumn of next year, and reaching full capacity during 2026.
Biovoima´s turnkey biomethane plant project goes well ahead in the construction phase and yesterday was one of the big days: laying down the foundation stone. Biovoima was represented by Project Manager Tero Kemppi, Project Engineer Kati Alén, Commissioning and Design Manager Aapo Nieminen and Biovoima’s sales representative in Norway, Svein Ringdal.
New standard for biogas plants
Øyvind Birkeland, Builder’s representative from BIR, has worked for the establishment of the biogas plant for a number of years.
“Today we see the result of several years of design work, two tender processes and a lot of decisions,” says Øyvind Birkeland. “One of these decisions that makes this plant completely unique is that, as far as we know, we are building the world’s first BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) certified biogas plant. The certified building means for example requirements for material use, high sorting and reuse rate. First, of course, we will build and get the certificate, but it is quite clear that BIR is now setting a new standard for how biogas plants can be built.”
The plant produces biomethane and biofertilizer
The biogas plant is the first of its kind in Vestland Norway and will produce biogas from food waste from the region and local manure from farmers in Voss. Processing capacity is 54,000 tons of organic streams per year. Most of the biofertilizer produced in this process will replace the use of cow dung as fertilizer, and with this, methane emissions and odors from agriculture are significantly reduced. Because of better fertilizer features than dung, this may also reduce the import of fertilizers.
The biomethane produced at the plant will be used as fuel primarily for BIR’s heavy vehicles, in addition to environmentally friendly alternative for fossil natural gas / LNG in the industrial sector in and around Voss area. In order to be able to use the biogas locally, processes are underway to establish a filling station in Voss. The vehicles will literally be powered by local food waste and cow dung – a great example of good application and circular value chains in practice.
LAB Entreprenører is the main contractor for buildings and infrastructure, and Biovoima is the turnkey contractor for the biogas plant and the technology. In addition, a number of local and regional subcontractors are and will be engaged in the project.
More information about the project:
Tero Kemppi
Project Manager
+358 50 408 7100
Jani Kangasaho
Sales Director
+358 50 468 7907