In Italy, biogas and biomethane technology specialists Sebigas Renewable Energy srl (Sebigas), a TICA Group company, has announced that it has signed a contract with Wakonda SpA, an innovative agricultural startup from Lecce, for the construction of a biogas power plant.
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The 300 kWe Wakonda biogas plant will use cladodes – the blades of Opuntia aka prickly pear cactus – olive pomace, wine pomace, whey, and poultry manure as feedstock In total around 16 000 tonnes annually.
Our technique of growing and processing prickly pear is intended to be an ‘open model’ of development, also from a landscape and environmental point of view, which will enable the recovery of much of the land that has remained unproductive because of the Xylella plague. An open model for Opuntia cultivation also for other local growers, with whom we want to relate to providing an opportunity for growth and employment, said Andrea Ortenzi, CEO and Founder of Wakonda.
The electricity produced will be sold to the grid, whereas the heat will be fully utilized by Wakonda in its production cycles.
We are confident that this with Sebigas is the first in a series of projects that are also possible thanks to the important legislative changes that seek to combine agricultural efficiency and renewable energy production, particularly with the so-called Biomethane Decree; we hope to be able to put in place “agricultural” biomethane projects in the coming years, also thanks to a proactive dialogue with local administrations, which are very sensitive to these issues, Andrea Ortenzi said.
The remaining digestate, which is rich in nutrients, will be used as a biofertilizer for the surrounding land.
We are happy to start a shared path with Wakonda as a technology provider. Today, the first innovative plant takes shape, but the goal is to continue and develop others both in Italy and abroad, said Roberto Salmaso, General Manager of Sebigas.