Duiven sewage plant upgrade to cut emissions and supply green gas to 2,650 homes
Residents in Gelderland will soon benefit from cleaner air and lower costs as the Duiven sewage treatment plant expands to produce green gas for 2,650 households. The €55 million project reduces CO₂ and nitrogen emissions while cutting waste transport expenses.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Innofase industrial estate, Duiven |
| Green gas production | 2.7 million m³ biogas annually |
| Households supplied | 2,650 |
| Nitrogen reduction | ~30% |
| Project cost | €55 million |
| Payback period | ~12 years |
| Construction timeline | 2026–2028 |
| CO₂ reduction | Significant, via green gas and heat reuse |
| Sludge waste reduction | Substantial, lowering transport costs |
The regional water authority oversees water management, sewage treatment, and sustainability initiatives in the area. This project aligns with its goal to operate climate-neutrally by 2050, reducing emissions and promoting circular economy practices.
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Expansion and modernization of sewage treatment plant in Duiven
The regional water authority intends to expand and modernize the sewage treatment plant at the Innofase industrial estate in Duiven. The sludge digestion process will be enlarged and improved to process more sludge. At the same time, we aim to convert the biogas produced during sludge digestion into green gas. This requires a green gas installation at the sewage treatment plant site. This will generate enough green gas to supply 2,650 households annually. The amount of sludge waste will be significantly reduced, as will the costs of transporting this waste. The new installations will also significantly reduce CO₂ and nitrogen emissions. The expansion and modernization will therefore make the sewage treatment plant more sustainable while reducing costs.
The board made this decision on March 10, 2026. We are still awaiting the environmental permit and potential co-financing options before final approval. We expect to give definitive approval in July.
Construction of the new installations, tanks, and machine building is expected to begin in 2026 and be completed in 2028. The total cost is estimated at €55 million, which also includes maintenance and storage at two other sewage treatment plants.
Green gas
From 2028, the green gas installation will process 2.7 million cubic meters of biogas annually. This will produce enough green gas to meet the annual consumption of 2,650 households. Green gas is a sustainable alternative to fossil energy and is suitable for households, businesses, and transport.
Payback period
Once co-financing is confirmed, we expect to recoup this investment in approximately twelve years. This is due to the revenue from selling green gas and reduced costs, as less sludge waste will need to be transported.
Reduced CO₂ and nitrogen emissions
The new installations will not only reduce waste but also lower emissions of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases. Nitrogen emissions will decrease by approximately 30%, as the residual heat from the nearby AVR facility will be used to maintain the sludge temperature. This eliminates the need for the water authority to burn biogas to produce this heat itself. The (Natura 2000) nature areas in the vicinity will benefit directly from this.
During construction, as many materials as possible will be reused. For example, a silo from Waterschap Hollandse Delta will be repurposed.
Dennis Wolsink, daily board member of the water authority:
"Green gas is sustainable and reduces CO₂ emissions. It has the same quality as natural gas and can be safely used in homes. This allows us to replace fossil fuels, reduce CO₂ emissions in the area, and make the sewage treatment plant more sustainable. Another key benefit is that this investment will pay for itself over time. Selling green gas generates revenue, and since we will need to transport less sludge waste, our costs will decrease."
The water authority aims to operate in a fully climate-neutral and circular manner by 2050. This means no harm to the climate, less waste, and the reuse of raw materials. The authority also intends to generate all energy sustainably, in line with the Climate Act and the Raw Materials Agreement."