Northern European energy company Gren announces that it has come to an agreement with the main equipment suppliers for its planned waste-to-energy plant in Acone. The facility will use state-of-the art equipment, including a boiler by Kanadevia Inova, fluegas cleaning system by LUEHR FILTER, a turbine from Doosan Škoda Power and waste grab cranes from KW Kranwerke.

Gren has more than ten years of experience in developing and operating modern waste-to-energy facilities. The company has successfully built and operated two such plants in Lithuania, including the Klaipeda waste-to-energy plant, which has been running safely and reliably since 2013. This proven track record in delivering efficient and environmentally responsible solutions demonstrates that Gren is fully capable of implementing a modern, safe and high-efficiency waste-to-energy project for Latvia.

Ilkka Niiranen, Gren CEO: “This project represents a significant foreign investment into essential national infrastructure and delivers the missing piece in Latvia’s waste-management system. It will also secure long-term, affordable heat for communities. To make this a reality, we are working closely with our partners and are now nearing completion of the environmental impact assessment report.”

Andris Vanags, Gren Country Manager in Latvia: “Today approximately 40% of Latvia’s household waste ends up in landfills, even though a significant share of it can be used for energy recovery, reducing pressure on landfills and contributing to a cleaner environment. In addition, EU member states will soon be allowed to landfill no more than 10% of waste generated. This target cannot be achieved through recycling alone. Latvia therefore needs a solution for waste that is not suitable for recycling.”

“To assess the impact of this solution in a transparent and professional way, we are partnering early with the main technology suppliers during the environmental impact assessment process. The technical data they provide ensures accurate emission modelling and technically sound design solutions, allowing us to plan the project responsibly and transparently from the very beginning,” Vanags added.

Volker Wiesendorf, Vice President Sales WtX and RG, Kanadevia Inova:  “The media event in Riga an excellent platform to engage with local partners and exchange perspectives on this milestone project. Being part of Latvia’s first waste-to-energy facility is both an honor and a responsibility. We look forward to continuing our close cooperation with Gren.”

Dr. Henning Bruns, Sales Director at LUEHR FILTER GmbH: “With our involvement in the Acone project we are happy to include our state-of-the-art equipment for the first time in Latvia, which has proven its top-notch flue gas cleaning performance in many other installations in Europe.”

Kanadevia Inova plans to deliver its most advanced INOVA grate combustion and boiler system ensuring low emissions, good burnout and optimum heat recovery.

LUEHR FILTER plans to supply its highly efficient conditioned-dry sorption process, which is paired up with dedicated catalytic NOx reduction, wet scrubbing and flue gas condensing technologies to ensure both a very clean gas to leave for the stack as well as a great amount of heat recovery. compliance with guaranteed emission limit values will be monitored by a Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) at the stack, providing constant oversight and transparent access of performance data for both the public and regulatory authorities.

Doosan Škoda Power, one of the leading steam turbine manufacturers, plans to deliver a state-of-the-art steam turbine along with additional equipment and services. The agreement is also reached with KW Kranwerke regarding waste grab cranes equipment. Gren has also partnered with AFRY, a consultancy providing engineering, project management, and advisory services.

The total investment in the new plant, which will use the most modern and safest technologies, will exceed EUR 200 million, and it is expected to become operational in 2029. The facility will process between 150 and 200 thousand tonnes of waste annually. Its planned heat capacity is 50-70 MW, while electrical capacity – MW.

The new plant will use for energy generation sorted, non-hazardous municipal and industrial waste, which is not suitable for recycling and would otherwise end up in landfills. Wood residues and low-quality biomass will also be used. Fuel supplies will be carried out by local waste management companies, in closed-type trucks and their unloading will take place in a closed, safe and controlled room, preventing dust and odors from

The Acone waste-to-energy plant will be an important step towards greater national energy independence, a cleaner environment and a major reduction in the amount of waste going to landfill. It will enable the efficient use of waste not suitable for recycling generated in Latvia and provide residents and businesses with sustainable and affordable heat in the long term.