The biogas plant at Lundby, operated by Nature Energy, has come under increased supervision. As of 12 May 2025, Vordingborg Municipality has officially registered the plant as a risk enterprise. This means new and stricter rules apply to the company's operations and safety.
This is because the company has increased its total capacity of biogas and biomethane to a level that exceeds the threshold triggering classification under the Danish risk regulation.
Nature Energy Køng produces biogas by processing residual products from agriculture and the food industry. Production takes place in four large reactor tanks, a buffer tank, and a gas purification plant. The raw biogas consists of 50-60 percent methane and 40-50 percent carbon dioxide. After upgrading, the biomethane consists of up to 99 percent methane, which is then sent out into the gas network.
65 tonnes of gas
The plant stores a total of about 65 tonnes of methane-containing gas, distributed across the internal tanks and plant. According to Vordingborg Municipality's assessment, the amount is approximately 15 tonnes above the threshold for column 2 in the risk regulation. The threshold is 50 tonnes for flammable gases like methane. It is on this basis that the company has now been classified as a column 2 risk enterprise.
When companies handle hazardous substances in large quantities, such as methane, they can be classified as a risk enterprise. This means that the company - in the event of a fire, explosion, or spill - is assessed to pose a danger to the surroundings. Therefore, it must comply with a number of stringent requirements, which aim to minimise the risk and ensure that both authorities and emergency services can respond quickly if something goes wrong.
Column 1, 2, and 3
There are three columns in the Danish risk regulation. Column 1 applies to companies that store hazardous substances above a lower threshold and are subject to basic requirements. Column 2 applies to larger quantities and entails extended requirements for, among other things, a safety document and an emergency plan. Column 3 includes companies that are assessed to have the highest risk - here, the most comprehensive requirements for documentation, public information, and authority preparedness apply.
Nature Energy Køng must therefore prepare a comprehensive safety document, assess the risk of all processes, and have an emergency plan that the municipal rescue service must also be familiar with. Additionally, the company is subject to regular inspections and must inform the public about risks.
Risk Companies in the Area
Nature Energy Køng A/S
Biogas plant at Lundby, Vordingborg Municipality. Recently registered as a column 2 risk company in May 2025.
YARA Denmark A/S, Vordingborg Fertiliser storage at Vordingborg Harbour. Registered as a column 3 risk company under the Environmental Protection Agency.
Nordic Sugar A/S, Nykøbing Falster Sugar factory and steam production. Registered as a column 2 risk company under the Environmental Protection Agency. Known for ammonia storage.
Demolition Company Falster ApS Company for the recovery of non-hazardous waste in Guldborgsund Municipality. Not classified in the column system.
Arcadia eFuels, Vordingborg
Upcoming PtX plant for the production of synthetic jet fuel. Already classified as a column 3 risk company. Will be subject to the strictest requirements when it is ready in 2029.
According to the company's own analysis, the risk of major accidents is assessed as very low. The worst-case scenario would be an explosion in a gas tank. This could create a pressure wave of 0.05 barg, which at worst could affect surrounding fields and a single wind turbine.
More biogas plants
The latest environmental inspection was carried out on 23 November 2023. Vordingborg Municipality concludes that the company's safety measures are adequate and that no significant impact on neighbours or the surroundings is expected.
Although the change does not necessarily affect daily operations, it marks a shift. Increased gas production comes with increased demands for control and transparency.
The case also reflects a trend. More biogas plants in Denmark are moving towards higher production capacity to contribute to the green transition. With this comes greater responsibility and increased supervision.
Other large biogas plants in the area may also be subject to the regulations in the future. An example is the Abed Biogas Plant on Lolland. If the capacity exceeds the limits of the risk regulations, this plant - like Nature Energy Køng - will need to be registered as a risk enterprise with the same requirements for safety, preparedness, and regulatory oversight.
