Axpo AG, which is headquartered in Baden in the Swiss canton of Aargau, has injected the first biomethane from its gas plant in Grottole in the Italian region of Basilicata into the national grid. As detailed in a statement, it is expected that the biomethane facility will ultimately produce 45 gigawatt hours of energy per year. According to information from the company, this volume of energy is sufficient to cover the requirements of around 3,200 households in the region. The overarching aim is to save 9,000 tons of direct CO2 emissions locally.It is expected to take another six months until the plant, acquired by Axpo in 2024 as a ready-to-build project, reaches full operational capacity. The biomethane plant in Grottole converts agricultural by-products from neighboring farms into low-carbon gas. Axpo sees the project as contributing to the circular economy.“This injection of first gas represents more than a technical achievement”, comments Véronique Abrate, Head of Biogas International at Axpo, adding that: “It proves that Axpo’s biomethane strategy is delivering real, tangible results. We now start producing renewable gas at scale in Italy, and this is just the beginning of our expansion”. Andy Heiz, Head of Generation & Distribution and Deputy CEO of Axpo, states that the first injection “represents years of strategic planning, careful execution and close dialogue with local authorities. A significant demonstration of our continued commitment to renewable energy solutions, this is energy infrastructure that works, feeds the grid, and powers communities”.Axpo has agreed a long-term gas offtake contract for the facility with the Italian paper mill Cartiere del Garda. For Antonio Di Blas, Director of Cartiere del Garda, this agreement represents “a great opportunity to reduce the CO2 emissions from our production facilities”. (ICE BERNA)

Fonte notizia: economico.pro