Italian Bio-methane Plant Comes Online, Providing Renewable Gas to Over 3,000 Homes.
Energy company Axpo injected the first biomethane from its new Grottole plant in southern Italy into the national gas grid, with output at full capacity matching the use of about 3,200 households.
Axpo announced on July 9, 2026 that it had injected the first gas from its biomethane plant in Grottole, in the Basilicata region of southern Italy, into Italy's national gas grid. The company described the step as a milestone in its renewable gas expansion strategy.
Axpo acquired the project in 2024 at the stage where it was ready to build. The plant has now started operating and is feeding the company's first fully owned biomethane into the grid. According to Axpo, the ramp-up to full capacity is expected to take up to six months. After that, the plant is expected to produce 45 GWh of renewable energy a year for decades.
Axpo says that volume equals the average gas consumption of roughly 3,200 Italian households. The company also estimates the plant will help avoid about 9,000 tonnes of direct CO2 emissions each year, compared with using natural gas.
The facility turns agricultural by-products from regional farms into low-carbon gas and fertiliser. Its long-term gas offtake contract has been signed with Cartiere del Garda, an Italian paper mill. Mill Director Antonio Di Blas said the contract was a chance to "reduce the CO2 emissions from our production facilities" and would strengthen cooperation with Axpo.
Véronique Abrate, Axpo's Head of Biogas International, said the first injection showed the company's biomethane strategy was delivering tangible results and that the company was now producing renewable gas at scale in Italy. Axpo also operates biomass and biogas or biomethane businesses in Switzerland, Poland and Spain. In Switzerland, it runs 15 plants that use dry fermentation to make renewable energy and natural fertilizers.
Note: The headline says over 3,000 homes. The page gives about 3,200 households as the equivalent at full capacity, which the plant is expected to reach only after a ramp-up of up to six months.
At a Glance
- Axpo injected first gas from its Grottole plant in Basilicata, Italy, into the national grid, announced July 9, 2026.
- The plant is expected to reach 45 GWh a year after a ramp-up of up to six months.
- Full output equals the average gas use of about 3,200 Italian households.
- Axpo estimates about 9,000 tonnes of direct CO2 emissions avoided each year versus natural gas.
- Paper mill Cartiere del Garda signed a long-term offtake contract for the gas.
Sources
This brief was written by Brightside Report from the reporting linked above. Spot an error? Request a correction.