In Poland, the country's first agricultural biomethane (aka renewable natural gas - RNG) plant has started producing and injecting RNG into the gas network. Located in Komorowo, east-central Poland, the facility is owned by private investor Agro-Biogas while minority shareholder Axpo Holding AG is the gas offtaker, distributor and retailer.
The injection of biomethane from the Komorowo plant into the national gas grid marks a significant milestone in the development of Poland’s energy and agriculture sectors.
The facility, located in the Masovian Voivodeship, has an installed capacity of 1 MW and is ultimately expected to produce approximately 20 GWh of biomethane annually.
The plant is majority-owned by Agro-Biogas, a privately held company established by investors who operate arable and dairy farms in Komorowo.
Agricultural waste, primarily livestock manure and slurry, from these farms is used for RNG production.
Heat generated during the process is utilised by the plant, while the digestate can be applied as organic fertiliser.
Our biomethane plant is founded on family farming heritage and our many years of agricultural experience. We convert the feedstock into biomethane, while the digestate is returned to the fields as a valuable fertiliser. This enables us to close the loop and make efficient use of our own resources. As such, it is an investment in the future of our farms for generations to come. However, stability is also crucial for a project of this scale. The long-term biomethane offtake agreement with Axpo was an important factor in strengthening the bankability of the entire project, said Marek Dzwonkowski, President of the Management Board, Agro-Biogas.
Long-term RNG offtake
The project’s long-term financial viability is underpinned by a 20-year offtake agreement concluded between Agro-Biogas and Axpo for the purchase and sale of the RNG.
The contract sets out delivery volumes, the price-setting mechanism and settlement rules covering the trading of physical biomethane and associated Guarantees of Origin (GO).
Location was another key factor in the project’s viability. A transmission gas pipeline runs close to the biomethane plant, while a high-pressure station is located nearby.
The proximity of this gas-to-grid infrastructure enables efficient access to biomethane customers year-round.
This pioneering project combines the need to utilise agricultural waste with technology for purifying and injecting biomethane into the grid and its long-term sales model. It really shows how collaboration between local entrepreneurs, investors and a trading partner can create bankable projects and set standards for further development of Poland’s biomethane market, said Krzysztof Ryszkiewicz, Head of Portfolio Management and Board Member of Axpo Poland.
Part of Axpo’s international biogas strategy
The Axpo Group is expanding its activities in the biogas and biomethane sector, combining the operation of its own facilities with the development of projects in partnership with local partners.
Home in Switzerland, Axpo is a leader in dry fermentation of organic waste and operates 15 biogas plants producing renewable energy and organic fertilisers.
The company is also developing biomethane facilities in other European countries.
In Spain, the Noguera Renovables plant processes dairy cattle manure and currently injects 26 GWh of biomethane into the grid each year. Its planned expansion will increase production to 115 GWh a year.
In Italy, the Group operates a plant using agricultural by-products in Grottole, in the Basilicata region, and is building three more in Sicily. Each of these facilities is expected to produce approximately 45 GWh of biomethane a year.
In late 2024, Axpo acquired and operates an agro-biogas plant in Stare Ślepce, while several new projects in Poland are under development.
Biomethane is a mature solution that simultaneously supports the energy transition, the circular economy and security of supply. The projects in Poland confirm the country’s potential and are consistent with Axpo’s strategy of developing biomethane assets in Europe, said Véronique Abrate, Head of Biogas International at Axpo.
