MOL Group is set to enhance its renewable gas portfolio in Hungary with the establishment of a new biomethane production unit at its Szarvas facility. This strategic investment aims to facilitate the direct injection of renewable gas into Hungary’s national gas transmission network, contributing to the nation’s shift towards sustainable energy solutions.
The new facility is anticipated to commence commercial operations by the end of 2026 and is expected to generate over 7 million cubic meters of biomethane annually. This output is projected to meet the natural gas needs of approximately 8,500 households, marking MOL’s inaugural foray into biomethane production and representing only the third operational plant of its kind in Hungary.
Currently, the Szarvas facility processes a significant volume of organic waste, transforming it into biogas from materials such as manure, slurry, agricultural residues, and food-processing waste. The planned expansion will enhance this process by incorporating advanced upgrading techniques aimed at eliminating carbon dioxide and other impurities, thus producing grid-quality biomethane suitable for national gas infrastructure integration.
MOL’s acquisition of the Szarvas site in 2023 aligns with its broader strategy focused on renewable energy and circular economy initiatives. The facility presently operates gas engines with an installed capacity of around 4 MW, generating nearly 24 GWh of electricity each year.
The plant processes over 40,000 tons of organic waste from regional meat production annually, along with approximately 53,000 tons of livestock and meat-processing by-products and around 18,000 tons of agricultural raw materials. These feedstocks yield close to 12 million cubic meters of biogas each year.
MOL has indicated that the expertise gained through this biomethane project will inform future acquisitions and potential greenfield investments within the expanding renewable gas sector, positioning the company favorably in a rapidly evolving market.
