VIREO GOING ORGANIC
SPECIALISING IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF BIOMETHANE PLANTS, VIREO IS PLAYING A KEY ROLE IN THE SUSTAINABLE TRANSFORMATION OF THE NORDIC ENERGY SECTOR.
GOING ORGANIC
PROJECT MANAGED BY: RAPHAELA DOS SANTOS
The process of turning organic material into biomethane and fertiliser is becoming increasingly important for a world in need of green energy solutions. Fortunately for the Nordic region where the company operates, it is a practice Vireo has targeted to master.
Based in Norway, Vireo is a major developer, operator, and owner of biomethane plants with its sights set on becoming a leader in Scandinavia’s sustainable energy transformation. CEO – Managing Director Reinhard Lund-Mikkelson explains more:
“By digesting organic material, we can clean and then liquefy biomethane, making it easy to transport for use as fuel and in heat generation. We also capture CO2 as part of this process, which can be liquified and sold for industrial consumption or stored (CCS).
“Currently,” Reinhard adds, “we have five biogas projects in development with a combined estimated production of 500 GWh. We have one in construction, another coming into construction in January 2026, and a third set to reach
FID in 2026. At the same time, we continue to develop new greenfield projects, as well as looking for M&A opportunities.”
COMPETENCE & MATURITY
An industry leader in Norway thanks to its competence and maturity, Vireo has global access to technical, financial and commercial capabilities through its co-owners Swen Capital Partners in Paris. Swen’s backing is a clear market advantage and has enabled Vireo to take full control of its own projects.
“Our strategy to execute projects with our own staff brings both challenges and opportunities,” Reinhard says. “Our projects are multi-package constructions, where we are agnostically choosing the best available technology for our plants. We really take charge of our projects, and alongside
several vendor partners, feel a real sense of ownership in realising success.
“We bring innovation and experience to the design process inspired by multiple visits and discussions with established global biomethane producers. Crucially, we have a very dedicated workforce eager to do their absolute best every day to improve the company’s position in the market.”
While Vireo views all its vendors as key partners, the company’s relationship with Nordsol acts as a useful example of the organisation’s collaborative approach. Vireo recently selected Nordsol to deliver a new upgrading and liquefaction unit to its plant in Hardanger, Norway. The project will be Nordsol’s first in Norway, and will see the Dutch firm use its proven technology to
convert biogas – produced onsite from salmon processing residues and poultry manure – into highquality liquified biogas (LBG or bio-LNG) for use in the road transport and maritime sectors.
“We value all our vendors, and we had around 15 of these partners on our first projects,” Reinhard notes. “What is special with Nordsol is that the package is paramount for us to produce pure and liquified biomethane.
The multiple interface points have significant effects on how we design other sections of the plant.
“As partners, we are jointly engaged with our selected vendors to plan and construct an optimised facility that will be a showcase to the market. We think that this approach brings with it a positive work environment for Vireo and vendors themselves.”
Brødrene Musland Maskin AS is based in Uskedalen, Kvinnherad, but takes on larger projects in Hordaland/ Bergen on request. We carry out work in excavation, drainage, transport, water and sewage systems and site levelling for house plots, but our main focus is natural stone masonry, with more than ten years of experience in this field.
post@muslandmaskin.no Børnes 29, 5463 Uskedalen +47 (0) 95 03 26 64
Reinhard Lund-Mikkelson, CEO – MD, Vireo.
INCREASING PRODUCTION
Vireo’s new Hardanger facility is set to begin operation in 2027. The project will increase Norwegian production of biomethane by around 20%.
“It’s a significant venture for a market crying out for LBG,” Reinhard states. “Demand in Norway is much higher than supply currently, but we hope to change that.
“The biogas sector in Norway is fairly young compared to the likes of Denmark because we have been relying on natural gas from the North Sea, which has left us without the incentive to develop biomethane onshore. Legislation and permitting processes still take time, but we are actively working to mitigate this by talking to politicians and advocating for a more stable foundation for this industry. Slowly, the domestic competence and market is picking up, and we aim to be one of its future leaders.”
After another positive year in 2025, Vireo is looking forward to even more activity in 2026. With key decisions to be made and new projects to initiate, the year ahead could be a formative period of Vireo’s history.
“By fall 2026, we will have more than 300 GWh in construction,” Reinhard reports.
“Our plants are usually three to four times the size of a typical biomethane facility you might encounter in France or Germany, so our work will offer a huge boost to Norway and the wider European market.”
A BETTER, MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
As Vireo grows, the Norwegian biogas market will grow with it, so that the company is not just improving the supply of a vital renewable resource but helping to guide Norway towards a better, more sustainable future.
Shifting culture and changing mindsets will also enable Vireo with more mature skills within Norway with which to support its operations. The company’s knowledgeable and flexible workforce is just as important to Vireo as its technology and will play a key role in leading the company into the future.
“We believe that we can inspire change across Norway over the next five to ten years, especially in terms of how people view biogas,” Reinhard declares. “Going forward, as a company, our mission is clear: to continue to develop, operate, and own biomethane production plants.
“OUR PLANTS ARE USUALLY THREE TO FOUR TIMES THE SIZE OF A TYPICAL BIOMETHANE FACILITY YOU MIGHT ENCOUNTER IN FRANCE OR GERMANY, SO OUR WORK WILL OFFER A HUGE BOOST TO NORWAY AND THE WIDER EUROPEAN MARKET.”
“We are heavy in development at the moment, but we expect to take on more operation in the years ahead. A major focus is to ramp up and produce as efficiently as possible, with a strong focus on optimisation of design, production, and eventually EBITDA. We see this as a platform from which we can prosper.”
