The energy transition leads to major changes in the energy system. Alternatives to fossil gas are being sought for the sustainability of both the built environment and the transport and industry sector. Biomethane has the same quality as natural gas, is circular, and can be used in these sectors. At the same time, the agricultural and horticultural sector is also transitioning to even more sustainable forms of food production. Poultry manure is a very good source of sustainable energy and valuable nutrients and makes an important contribution to both transitions.
30 million cubic meters of biomethane
BMC Moerdijk wants to realize an anaerobic digestion installation at its current location in Moerdijk, which will convert 250,000 tons of poultry manure into 30 million cubic meters of biomethane. This gas will be fed into the existing gas network and then used by industry or households. The captured CO2 from the biogas will be converted into 35,000 tons of liquid biogenic CO2 that can be used in, among other things, greenhouse horticulture. By adjusting the current combustion installation, the energy that the digestate still contains will be converted into heat and electricity that is used in its own process. The residual product, the ash, still contains valuable nutrients such as phosphate and potassium and is an alternative to artificial fertilizer. With this innovative combination, an annual saving of up to 206,000 tons of CO2 can be realized.
Director Gerd-Jan de Leeuw: “With this, we continue our substantial contribution to the energy transition. With biomethane, we have energy from our own soil and are less dependent on energy from other countries. We continue to contribute to circular agriculture and achieving climate goals by reducing CO2, methane, and nitrogen emissions.”
Poultry farmers have confidence in the new installation
Many poultry farmers, all members of Coöperatie Duurzame Energieproductie Pluimveehouderij (DEP), have now signed a letter of intent for the delivery of the required poultry manure after 2029. DEP consists of more than 400 poultry farmers and has been supplying most of the required poultry manure to the BMC Moerdijk power plant since 2008.
Startup planned for 2029
Currently, the plans for the realization of the new installation are being worked out with the aim of starting construction after the final investment decision at the beginning of 2027. By mid-2029, the first biomethane can be produced. With this, BMC Moerdijk contributes to achieving the Dutch goal of producing 1.1 billion m3 of biomethane by 2030 and thereby reducing 3.8 Mton CO2 chain emissions. This project has received a subsidy from the Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth, regulation National EZK and LNV subsidies, Topsector Energy implemented by ‘Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland’.
Search for new shareholder started
The switch from electricity production to biomethane requires an investment of around €190 million. BMC Moerdijk has therefore recently started the search for a new strategic shareholder with experience in digestion and biomethane production.