VNG subsidiary BALANCE acquires biogas plant in Grasleben
BALANCE Erneuerbare Energien GmbH (BALANCE), a wholly owned subsidiary of VNG AG, acquired a new biogas plant in Grasleben, Lower Saxony (Helmstedt district) on 1 November 2024. The move expands the BALANCE portfolio to 42 biogas plants increasing the total rated thermal output to around 192 MWFTC. This means that more than 123,000 households can be supplied each year with renewable energy.
BALANCE's existing plants in Oebisfelde, Satuelle and Gardelegen in Saxony-Anhalt and Benitz in Lower Saxony are all less than 40 km from Grasleben. With the acquisition of the Grasleben biogas plant, BALANCE can further consolidate its existing biogas plant portfolio in eastern Lower Saxony and northern Saxony-Anhalt. “This acquisition enables us to procure substrates, and to utilise digestate storage and silo capacities in the immediate vicinity of our existing plants. These synergy effects are very valuable to us. Another advantage of the biogas plant is the extensive use of liquid manure and turkey manure to produce biogas. In this way, we are creating additional alternatives to the use of maize and making efficient use of residual materials,” explains BALANCE Managing Director Volker Klinkert.
The five installed CHP plants have a total rated electrical output of 2.5 MWel (6.2 MWFTC). The CHP plants operate flexibly, i.e. electricity production can be smoothly adapted to current demand. “The plant not only generates sustainable electricity, but also climate-friendly heating, which is already being used on a large scale in a local district heating network,” explains Klinkert, adding: “As a partner in sustainable recycling and agriculture, we want to leave a positive footprint in the region and strengthen local value creation.”
BALANCE acquired the biogas plant, which was commissioned in 2006, from the previous operating company Biogas Grasleben GmbH & Co. KG. All existing employees will be retained and substrate deliveries will be supplied by the existing agricultural businesses. As per the agreement, the purchase price has not been revealed.
“VNG is currently undergoing a transformation at corporate level towards green gases. In addition to hydrogen, biogas plays a strategically very important role. With the acquisition of the biogas plant in Grasleben, BALANCE is strengthening its leading position as a stable and reliable player in the field of renewable energies. In this respect, I am pleased that BALANCE is continuing its growth in the biogas business and at the same time is making an important contribution to the supply of climate-friendly and sustainable energy. Biogas deserves special mention here, as it is the only renewable energy source that is locally available, flexible and capable of base load use,” says Hans-Joachim Polk, Board Member for Infrastructure/Technology at VNG AG.
VNG is a group of over 20 companies active in the European energy industry, employing about 1,700 people. As a gas importer and wholesaler as well as an operator of critical gas infrastructure, the Group, which is headquartered in Leipzig, is central to the secure supply of gas in Germany. With the “VNG 2030+” strategy, VNG is also pursuing an ambitious path for a market ramp-up of renewable and decarbonised gases such as biogas and hydrogen, paving the way for a sustainable, secure supply and, in the long term, climate-neutral energy system of the future.
BALANCE is one of the leading operators of biogas plants in Germany. The company was founded in 2006 and currently operates 42 biogas facilities in Northern and Eastern Germany with a total rated thermal output of approx.192 MWFTC. BALANCE is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leipzig-based VNG AG, a Group specialising in gas and gas infrastructure with over 20 companies operating throughout Europe. It supplies approximately 123,000 households with climate-friendly energy. More at www.balance-vng.de.
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VNG subsidiary BALANCE acquires biogas plant in Grasleben (Foto: Philipp Kirschner)
