In a strategic effort to foster energy independence and sustainability, the Czech Ministry of Environment is set to transform waste from water treatment and agriculture into renewable energy sources. The initiative focuses on utilizing biogas and biomethane, which closely resemble natural gas, to reduce reliance on coal and imported fossil fuels.
Minister of Environment Petr Hladík announced a budget of nearly 500 million crowns (around 19.8 million euros) from the Operational Program Environment to establish new biogas and biomethane facilities across seven locations in the Ústecký, Olomouc, South Bohemian, and Liberec regions. The goal is to convert approximately 600 existing biogas plants to biomethane production, enhancing energy resilience.
These facilities will convert agricultural waste and wastewater sludge into energy, with byproducts used as fertilizers. Hladík emphasized that this initiative improves the utilization of domestic resources, thereby increasing the country’s energy security.
Among the notable projects is a biogas plant at the Litovel Wastewater Treatment Plant, set to process about 7,000 tons of biodegradable waste annually, generating nearly 5,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy—enough to heat over 500 households. Future plans include integrating this facility into the central heating network and local electricity distribution.
Additionally, AGRISPOL cooperative will build a biogas plant near Mořice, designed to process around 29,000 tons of biodegradable waste, with the purified biogas being added to the gas distribution network.
Other funded projects include the modernization of the Všebořice biogas plant, expansion of waste processing facilities in Šumperk, and upgrades to the Hroby biogas plant.
Through these developments, the Czech Republic is taking significant steps toward sustainable energy practices and reducing its dependence on fossil fuels.
