Can biogas save Poland’s economy?

With a global increase in environmental awareness and increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the search for alternative, more sustainable energy sources is becoming a priority for many countries. Poland, as a leader in coal production and consumption, faces the challenge of a sustainable energy transition. In this context, biogas and its derivatives, are attracting increasing interest as potential elements of an energy strategy.
Can biogas really play a key role in transforming the Polish economy? Can it meet the challenges of ensuring the country’s energy stability and reducing harmful emissions? This article looks at the potential benefits, challenges and prospects concerning the use of biogas within the Polish economy.

What is biogas?

Biogas is the mixture of gases that results from the anaerobic digestion of organic biomass. During this process, micro-organisms break down organic matter such as plant residues, animal excrement or food waste and convert it into gas. The main components of biogas are approximately 55-65% methane (CH₄) and approximately 35-45% carbon dioxide (CO₂), although it may also contain some amounts of other gases such as hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), ammonia (NH₃) or nitrogen (N₂).
Given Poland’s agricultural and industrial background, it has great potential regarding the production and use of biogas. Poland is rich in organic raw materials that can be used to produce this green fuel. Numerous farms generate large quantities of organic waste, such as manure or plant residues, which can serve as a substrate. Additionally, Poland generates a significant amount of industrial organic waste, such as slaughterhouse waste, which can be used in biogas fermentation. Also, certain crops grown specifically for energy purposes, such as maize or energy grasses, can be used as substrate. The choice of a suitable substrate often depends on local conditions, the availability of raw materials and the specifics of the biogas plant in question. However, it is worth noting that the variety of available raw materials offers flexibility and the possibility to adapt biogas production to changing conditions and needs.

Biogas plant classification

According to Polish law, biogas plants are classified primarily based on the type of raw material used for biogas production.
Agricultural biogas plants are located on farms that process mainly manure, plant residues and other agricultural waste. They are usually smaller farms that produce agricultural biogas mainly for their own needs or for the sale of electricity and heat. Agricultural biogas is the only biogas which is separately defined in the Renewable Energy Sources Act.
Municipal biogas plants are located in sewage treatment plants and landfills. They mainly process sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants and municipal waste, such as food waste, organic residues from restaurants or green waste from urban areas. Biogas from municipal biogas plants can be used to produce electricity and heat for the plant’s own use and for the city.
Industrial biogas plants are located on industrial sites that process industrial organic waste, such as sewage sludge from sewage treatment plants or food processing waste. Biogas from industrial biogas plants can be used to power the plant’s production processes or to produce electricity and heat.

Derivatives of biogas

Biogas can be used as a target fuel for electricity and heat production, but it can also be converted into other fuels or chemical products via various production processes. Some examples of biogas derivatives that can play a key role in transforming the economy are as follows:
Biomethane is a purified biogas with a methane content exceeding 98%. It can be used in many industries such as:

• transport – as a fuel for motor vehicles (esp. cars, buses and trucks). Once properly purified and liquefied, biomethane can be used in vehicles powered by natural gas (bioCNG) or liquefied natural gas (bioLNG), replacing traditional fuels. Biomethane can also be converted into other fuels, such as hydrogen or synthetic liquid fuels, via various chemical processes (e.g. steam reforming or methanolisation);
• energy – it can be used, for example, in combined heat and power (CHP) installations to produce heat and electricity simultaneously. It is burned in engines or gas turbines and the heat and electricity generated can be used locally or fed into the grid;
• industry – as a raw material used in the chemical industry to produce chemicals, chemical products, fertilisers or plastics.

In the future, it may also be possible to inject biomethane into the gas grid to reduce the consumption of natural gas. However, legislative changes are needed to make this possible.
BioCO₂, also known as biogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂), comes from, among other things, the purification of biogas. Biogenic CO₂ can be used, among other things, in the production of carbonated beverages, in processing, plant cultivation and other industries in which CO₂ is a component of the production process. The use of biogenic CO₂ in production, instead of fossil CO₂, can be an important element of a company’s climate-neutrality strategy and can positively affect its image and market competitiveness.

Current biogas use in Poland

Poland is developing its biogas infrastructure, but still faces challenges in fully exploiting the potential of this renewable energy source. According to the “Biogas and Biomethane in Poland 2023” report issued by the Biomass Media Group, only 5.7 million tonnes of waste from the agri-food sector was processed in Poland in 2022 at around 383 installations (148 of which were agricultural biogas plants). This enabled approximately 2,352 TWh of electricity to be produced, with biogas representing less than 2.5% of electricity produced from renewable energy sources. According to the 2023 report, Poland’s biomethane potential is 5-8 billion [m³/year], which could translate into a reduction of 47-76 TWh of energy from natural gas.

Benefits of biogas

Biogas appears to be a key resource, capable of contributing to Poland’s sustainable development and economic growth. As a renewable energy source, biogas offers a number of benefits for different economic sectors, from agriculture to industry and transport. The first aspect is its potential as an alternative to traditional fossil fuels, which can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing dependence on energy imports. Furthermore, biogas production can create new jobs, both in the agricultural sector and in the processing and distribution industries. Additionally, biogas can be a stabilising element for farmers, enabling them to diversify their income sources and reduce production costs.
Aside from its environmental and economic benefits, biogas can also play a role in enhancing the country’s energy security by using local organic raw materials for energy production. Furthermore, the development of biogas-related infrastructure can accelerate modernisation and innovation in the energy sector, contributing to the international competitiveness of the Polish economy. Finally, by promoting investment in modern biogas technologies and research, Poland can become a leader in renewable energy, opening up new opportunities for developing a sustainable economy and society.
In view of the above arguments, it appears that the development of the biogas sector has significant potential in terms of ‘saving’ the Polish economy. However, in order to fully realise this potential, government support, investment in infrastructure and promoting awareness and education about the benefits of biogas as an alternative and sustainable energy source are needed. With the right measures, biogas can become a key element in the transformation of the Polish economy towards a more sustainable and climate-resilient development model.

Greeners’ team of engineering experts and experienced SSW lawyers are on hand to support you at every step of the biogas plant construction process. We know the financial challenges associated with such projects and can help you to obtain funding to significantly reduce your investment costs and accelerate the project. Together, we can contribute to the development of renewable energy sources and the sustainable development of our planet.

Greeners’ team of engineering experts and experienced SSW lawyers are on hand to support you at every step of the biogas plant construction process. We know the financial challenges associated with such projects and can help you to obtain funding to significantly reduce your investment costs and accelerate the project. Together, we can contribute to the development of renewable energy sources and the sustainable development of our planet.