MOL Group opens first biomethane plant in Szarvas

Project and capacity

MOL invested more than HUF 2.7 billion to add biomethane purification to its Szarvas biogas site, producing pipeline‑quality biomethane from biogas. The output will replace over 7 million cubic metres of natural gas annually—equivalent to the gas demand of roughly 8,500 average households—and can also serve as bioCNG or bioLNG for transport use.

Feedstock and operations

The company acquired the Szarvas biogas plant in 2023. Previously the site produced 11–12 million cubic metres of biogas that were used in cogeneration to generate almost 24 GWh of renewable electricity plus heat each year. The upgraded facility processes more than 40,000 tonnes of meat‑industry waste, about 53,000 tonnes of residual waste (including slurry and turkey manure) and some 18,000 tonnes of agricultural substrate annually. MOL says it will continue to work with regional agricultural partners to secure feedstock.

Strategic context and next steps

MOL frames the investment as part of its SHAPE TOMORROW strategy to expand green energy, strengthen energy security and support regional sustainable supply. Company leadership said the project underlines the role of regional agricultural potential and existing gas infrastructure, and noted that supportive European regulation, a national investment environment and industrial innovation are needed. MOL also plans to use operating experience from Szarvas to assess future acquisitions and greenfield investments and to explore scaling biomethane into a tradable gas business.