Increasing the proportion of energy generated from renewable resources is a core element of ELMIB's strategy. In 2008, we started building biogas and biomass power plants based on renewable energy sources throughout Hungary.
Generating energy from locally available renewable resources makes energy supply of regions and municipalities more secure, cheaper and more efficient.
We believe that energy management based on locally available green energy is
- cheaper,
- more reliable,
- has a reduced environmental impact,
- sustainable,
- independent of imported energy,
- and creates new jobs by involving the local workforce.
Biomass power
In the summer of 2009, ELMIB started running the third biggest biogas power plant in Hungary using agricultural residue in Dömsöd. It uses 60 000 tonnes of raw materials consisting of agricultural waste – manure, cornstalks, withered flowers – and even dangerous waste materials like restaurant garbage and used cooking oil, all originating from the surrounding area. The power plant is able to generate 11,000 gigawatts/hour of electricity annually, enough to supply a village like Dömsöd with electricity (that is 3,000 households).
In addition to this, biomass power plants are being built in Kaposvár and Salgótarján which will, by 2012, each be capable of satisfying 60% of the heating needs of their respective city. As a result of these projects, these municipalities may be able reduce district heating prices. These power plants will generate enough power to supply 20,000 households from renewable resources, releasing virtually no smoke. They will burn waste-materials – twigs and branches – originating from the local forestry industry or by-products of furniture making, and raw materials originating from energy forests. Energy forests are plantations made for the purpose of providing power plants with raw materials, and consist of tree species having a high heating value like willow, poplar or alder and planted on flood areas or sandy areas where food production would not be possible. ELMIB has planted several energy forests in Hungary, one of which is located near Herceghalom.
