Greece is moving ahead with its first biomethane production facility after DEPA Trade secured an installation permit for a renewable gas unit at an existing biogas plant in Epirus. The permit covers a facility at Farma Chitas in Filippiada. The project will produce biomethane for transport use.
Surplus biogas at the existing plant will be converted into compressed biomethane, avoiding the need to build a new biogas facility. Once operational, the resulting bio-CNG is expected to be supplied through DEPA Trade’s Fisikon refuelling network. The project will use spare production capacity at Farma Chitas.
Farma Chitas is licensed to generate 3 MW of electricity, while its biogas production potential is equivalent to about 3.6 MW. This leaves approximately 609 kW of biogas capacity available for biomethane production without raising electricity output.
Biomethane production capacity
The processing installation will cover close to 500 square metres. It is designed to produce up to around 2.28 tonnes of biomethane per day. The gas will be purified to increase its methane concentration before compression for use as vehicle fuel.
DEPA Trade views the project as a test of the commercial potential for renewable gas in Greece. It is also intended to make greater use of domestic energy resources. The project is expected to reduce dependence on imported fuels.
Trial operation and licensing
The installation permit allows work to proceed towards trial operation. After successful testing, DEPA Trade plans to apply for an operating licence. Commercial production is targeted for early 2027.
The project is small compared with conventional natural gas supply volumes. It could establish a regulatory and commercial model for larger biomethane developments. This comes as Greece looks to diversify its gas sector.
