EnviTec Biogas: World’s largest biomethane plant is half-way finished

Energy for a city of 50,000 people

Lohne, 7 October 2008 – Biogas is an important element in the energy mix of the future. The latest example can be found in the northern German town of Güstrow where EnviTec Biogas is building the world’s largest plant for the production of biogas to natural gas standards (biomethane) for NAWARO BioEnergie AG. The plant with a rated electrical output of 22 MW is scheduled to go on line in 2009 and feed 46 million cubic metres of biogas per year into the public gas grid from 2010. This will be sufficient to meet the demand of a small town of 50,000 people. “The project gives impressive proof of the fact that biogas can contribute to Germany’s gas supply and reduce its dependence on imports,” says Olaf von Lehmden, CEO of EnviTec Biogas.

While the initial ground work and the construction of the ground water protectors started in November 2007, the project is now running at full steam. The topping-out ceremony also marked the half-time stage. The 90 workers, whose number will soon rise to 160, have already installed 20 fermenters for the future biogas production as well as parts of the fermentation residue stores and the administrative building. The necessary input materials are already being stored to enable a swift production start once the plant has been completed. The contract has a volume of approx. EUR 42 million for EnviTec.

The customer and future operator of the plant is satisfied with the construction progress. “We are currently four weeks ahead of schedule,” says Felix Hess, CEO of NAWARO BioEnergie AG. “We are proud that we will soon be able to make a sustainable contribution to the energy supply from renewable sources.”

Apart from the production of electricity and heat, EnviTec is convinced that biogas has huge potential as a substitute for natural gas. Global demand for gas is growing constantly. This demand contrasts with a limited supply of natural gas. As a result, gas prices have risen for years. In Germany alone, several gas suppliers have announced price increases of up to 50 percent. “Biogas is a viable alternative to natural gas and can make a valuable contribution to ensuring that energy remains affordable going forward,” says Olaf von Lehmden.

EnviTec Biogas AG covers the entire value chain for the production of biogas - including the planning and turnkey construction of biogas plants as well as their commissioning. The company provides the biological and technical service and also offers the full plant and operating management. In addition, the company also operates its own biogas plants. In Penkun, in the German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, EnviTec constructed the world's largest biogas park with an electrical connected load of 20 megawatts. Today, the company is represented in more than 14 countries throughout Europe and as well in China and India. In 2007 EnviTec generated revenues of EUR 132 million and EBIT of EUR 18 million. The EnviTec Group has about 280 employees. Since July 2007 EnviTec is listed on the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Investor Relations:
Olaf Brandes
EnviTec Biogas AG
Tel: +49 44 42 80 65-118
E-mail: ir@envitec-biogas.de

Press Contact:
Fabian Lorenz, Grit Pauli
HOSCHKE & CONSORTEN Public Relations GmbH
Tel: +49 40 36 90 50- 56 /-31
E-mail: f.lorenz@hoschke.de; g.pauli@hoschke.de

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