A ribbon-cutting ceremony has been held marking the completion of a novel new renewable energy partnership that secures both continued sugar production in Sweden and reduced reliance on fossil gas.
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Processing around 2 million tonnes of sugarbeet annually, Nordic Sugar Örtofta produces 300 000 tonnes of white sugar, molasses, and animal feed supplying the former to the retail sector and food industry.
Owned by Nordic Sugar AB, part of the Germany-headed sugar major Nordzucker AG, the sugar mill began operating in 1890. According to Nordzucker, it is currently “one of the largest and most efficient beet-processing plants in the whole of Europe.”
Reducing fossil gas dependence
The Örtofta sugar mill has operated on fossil gas and biogas for its process energy needs, supplying post-production residual heat to the local district heating network.
With a new pipeline carrying process steam from the multi-municipality-owned energy utility Kraftringen Energi AB’s (Kraftringen) Örtofta biomass-fired combined heat and power (CHP) plant, Nordic Sugar will be able to reduce its fossil gas demand by up to 25 percent.
In doing so it will reduce its fossil carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by an estimated 17 000 tonnes per annum.
In Sweden, we are self-sufficient in sugar. It is a responsibility that we take with the utmost gravity. Over the past five years, we have invested around SEK 2 billion (≈ EUR 181.7 million) to become one of the most modern and competitive sugar mills in Europe. Renewable and stable energy solutions are crucial components in this and now we take another step into the future by adding process steam derived from domestic fossil-free combined heat and power to our fuel mix, said Olof Dahlgren, Plant Manager of Nordic Sugar Örtofta during his inauguration address.
Novel neighbourhood cooperation
Geographical proximity proved to be a key enabler of the novel process steam pipeline solution.
Kraftringen’s Örtofta CHP plant is located less than two kilometres away as the crow flies, separated by fields, a road, and a railway line.
A 1.1 km pipeline was routed to carry high-pressure steam from Kraftringen Örtofta to Nordic Sugar Örtofta’s boiler house, where the pressure is reduced.
The steam condensate is provided in a return pipeline that connects the feed water tanks of both boiler houses.
Nordic Sugar is an important food industry supplier. We are delighted to be able to supply Nordic Sugar with renewable energy while at the same time contributing to securing production and increasing competitiveness. Working to optimize energy solutions in close cooperation with our partners is totally in line with our strategy. It is beneficial to all partners, and the environment, and contributes to sustainable growth, said Sezgin Kadir, CEO, and Group CEO of Kraftringen.
A very good example
The estimated SEK 130 million (≈ EUR 11.8 million) pipeline project broke ground in September 2021, and the ribbon-cutting ceremony was held just 12 months later, on October 11, 2022.
It coincided with the actual start of steam delivery for the 2022 sugar production campaign that has come underway at Nordic Sugar Örtofta.
This project is a very good example of an investment that contributes to increased security of supply for both Nordic Sugar and Sweden. It is also a clear example of how the renewable energy transition and the security of supply go hand in hand. Solutions that benefit both societies at large and the corporate community will become important in the transition to net zero, commented Gustav Ebenå, Department Head at the Swedish Energy Agency.
Editor’s note: A site visit to Kraftringen’s Örtofta CHP plant is planned as part of the Swedish Bioenergy Association’s (Svebio) annual national Stora Biokraft & Värme Konferens (biomass heat and power conference) that will take place in Lund on November 9-10, 2022.
