Greece is moving ahead with the development of its first biomethane production facility, following the issuance of an installation permit to DEPA Trade for a renewable gas unit at an existing biogas plant in Epirus.
The project will be developed at the Farma Chitas facility in Filippiada, where surplus biogas will be processed into compressed biomethane for use as a transport fuel. Once operational, the resulting bio-CNG is expected to be distributed through DEPA Trade’s Fisikon refuelling network.
Instead of constructing a new biogas facility, the project will make use of spare production capacity at the existing plant. Farma Chitas is currently licensed for 3 MW of electricity generation, while its biogas production potential is equivalent to approximately 3.6 MW. This leaves around 609 kW of available biogas capacity that can be redirected toward biomethane production without increasing the plant’s electricity output.
The new processing installation will cover nearly 500 square metres and is designed to produce up to approximately 2.28 tonnes of biomethane per day. The biogas will undergo purification to raise its methane concentration before being compressed and supplied as vehicle fuel.
For DEPA Trade, the project represents an opportunity to test the commercial potential of renewable gas in Greece while making greater use of domestic energy resources. It could also contribute to reducing the country’s reliance on imported fuels by creating an additional source of locally produced renewable gas.
The installation permit allows the project to move forward toward the trial operation stage. Following successful testing, DEPA Trade plans to apply for an operating licence, with commercial production currently targeted for early 2027.
Although the facility will be relatively small compared with Greece’s conventional natural gas supply infrastructure, its development could provide an important regulatory and commercial model for future biomethane projects. The experience gained from the plant could help support larger-scale renewable gas investments as Greece continues to diversify its energy and gas sector.
