Estonian private energy company Elenger has completed the Baltic region’s first cross-border biomethane transaction.
The trade was arranged in the Czech Republic for the BLRT group operating in Latvia.
Margus Kaasik, Chairman of the Board of Elenger Group, said it was an important step for promoting the green transition in the Baltic region. It operates in Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, as well as from its home base in Estonia.
“We tested the regulations of different countries and the readiness of system operators and gained confidence that biomethane can be successfully and seamlessly acquired across multiple national borders and gas networks,” he said.
In Estonia, it is developing local biomethane production in several biomethane plants together with partners, and the gas is currently being sold at filling stations for use as transport fuel.
“At the same time, we see potential for biomethane in heating and are considering the possibility of importing biomethane to meet growing demand,” he added.
Biomethane stations are operating in Oisu, Järva County, Ilmatsalu, Tartu County, and Vinni, Lääne-Viru County.
Elenger offers customers natural gas of Western origin plus renewable biomethane and manages gas distribution networks in Estonia, Latvia, and Poland with a total length of 9,000km.
The company also sells electricity, including green electricity produced at its own solar parks.
Last November, the Estonian Environmental Investment Centre approved €19m in funding to construct four biomethane production plants in Viljandimaa, Saaremaa, Pärnumaa, and Lääne-Virumaa counties.