Biogas from Turku region’s wastewater – Gasum signs extension agreement with wastewater treatment service provider

Gasum and the wastewater treatment service provider Turun seudun puhdistamo Oy have entered into an extension agreement on the utilization of sludge from the Kakolanmäki wastewater treatment plant in biogas energy and fertilizer production. The agreement will result in Gasum investing in the biogas plant located in Topinoja, Turku. The agreement term begins next year and will remain valid until 2028.

Gasum currently processes sewage sludge from the Turku region at the Topinoja biogas plant. The extension agreement now concluded will result in Gasum making biotreatment technology updates at the Topinoja plant, with the plans including improving energy efficiency and developing waste treatment to reduce emissions from the process. Materials generated in sewage sludge treatment are utilized in soil conditioning and fertilization. Gasum is also exploring opportunities to expand the Topinoja biogas plant in order to provide an even more extensive biodegradable waste processing service for the Turku region. A separate decision will be made during 2017 on the possible expansion.

Gasum aims to increase the uses of biogas in the Turku region. Several measures will be taken to achieve growth in gas use. For example, the vehicles transporting sludge to Topinoja will be replaced with gas-fueled ones. Gasum is investing in two LNG-fueled trucks to take care of material transport for the Topinoja and Vehmaa biogas plants. A gas filling station for vehicles including heavy-duty ones was opened in the autumn in conjunction with the Port of Turku.

”We’ve already been cooperating for a long time with the City of Turku, and we’re happy that we’ll now be able to develop our operations further. This is yet another step towards our objectives relating to a low-carbon society. The Turku region is an important area for us, and there is interest in gas among industry as well as maritime and road transport in the area,” says Ari Suomilammi, Vice President, Production and Sourcing, Biogas, Gasum.

Gasum’s Topinoja biotreatment plant produces an annual total of around 30 GWh our biogas, which corresponds roughly to the annual energy consumption of 3,000 cars. This biogas is currently used for heat and power production.

”We’re pleased to continue our smooth cooperation with Gasum. Our aim in wastewater treatment plant use is always to maximize the purification outcome cost-effectively. The plant treats the wastewater of almost 300,000 residents in the Turku region as well as the industrial wastewater of the region. We want to contribute to the reduction of the carbon footprint and promote the realization of energy-efficiency and the circular economy in the Turku region,” says CEO Mirva Levomäki from Turun seudun puhdistamo Oy.

Gasum biogas is a Finnish biofuel made from fully renewable raw materials that is injected into the gas network from Espoo, Kouvola, Lahti and Riihimäki. Biogas is a versatile energy source sold to industry, service providers, heat and power production, homes and restaurants using gas cookers, and for use as a transport fuel.

For more information please contact:
Ari Suomilammi, Vice President, Biogas Production, Gasum Ltd
Phone: +358 20 447 8754, firstname.surname@gasum.fi

Mirva Levomäki, CEO, Turun seudun puhdistamo Oy
Phone: +358 40 712 6241, mirva.levomaki@turku.fi

Energy company Gasum, Cleaner energy, read more about the company

Turun seudun puhdistamo Oy is a service provider owned by 14 municipalities that offers high-quality wastewater treatment services to its owners and other customers. The company is responsible for the operation and treatment results of the Kakolanmäki wastewater treatment plant, with the aim of providing an optimal purification performance that at the minimum meets the requirements set in the environmental permit. The plant processes the wastewater of almost 300,000 residents in the Turku region as well as the industrial wastewater of the region. www.turunseudunpuhdistamo.fi

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