Public hearings on the construction of a biogas complex at Vinnytsia Poultry Factory held in Vinnytsia region

In the village of Bilousivka, Vinnytsia region, public hearings on the construction of the second phase of the biogas complex of Vinnytsia Poultry Factory were held on August 2.

A year ago at similar hearings, the villagers agreed on the construction of the first phase in the territory of the village of Vasilievka in the Tulchinsky district.

During the meeting, MHP representatives presented the concept of the complex, as well as a report on its impact on the environment.

In December 2017, after the entry of the relevant law into force, companies are required to conduct an environmental impact assessment of the activities they plan to perform.

Learn more: Ecological Initiatives in Business: Vinnytsia Poultry Factory

A representative of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine Victoria Tymoshenko noted that after the agency analyzes the report, the environmental conditions for the construction of the complex will be determined.

"Until August 7, public hearings on this activity will continue," she added.

During the hearings, the director of the MHP Eco Energy Ivan Traxler stressed that biogas complexes that recycle organic waste, in particular, chicken manure, had been successfully operating in Europe for more than 20 years.

"This technology has been successfully developed by our company in Dnepropetrovsk region, where 100% of the manure is utilized. There is no smell, the chicken manure directly enters the biogas plant without additional storage and transshipment. When designing the biogas complex of Vinnytsia Poultry Factory, we envisage independent transportation from production to the complex. This means that it will be transported on separate roads avoiding populated localities. As a result of recycling, we will receive electricity, thereby strengthening the region with an additional stable source of energy, and organic fertilizers that will be used in our own fields, allowing us to replace mineral fertilizers," he stressed.

According to him, 460 tons of waste, 70 tons of silage, and 160 tons of sludge and water from poultry houses and a slaughterhouse will be processed daily at the site. As a result, the complex will produce 10,000 kWh of electricity per hour and 300 tons of solid organic fertilizers. The new facility will employ 30 people.

Anna Danilyak, a representative of the public organization Ecodia drew attention to the fact that the biogas complex belongs to objects of increased environmental danger.

"Risks exist. It is a complex technological process, which has no analogues in Europe in terms of capacity. Therefore, it is important to analyze everything carefully and scrupulously. In addition, the density of buildings in these areas is surprising. 80% of all atmospheric air pollution in Vinnytsia region is concentrated here. Here Vinnytsia Poultry Factory and Ladyzhin TPS are located. Now a biogas complex is intended here," she noted.

During the hearings, the residents of Bilousivka and surrounding villages could ask questions, as well as express their attitude towards the construction of the complex.

Lyubov Maksimchuk, a Bilousivka resident, noted that the Vinnytsia Poultry Factory provides work to villagers and fulfills social obligations. She expressed the opinion that there is no problem with poultry manure recycling.

"The manure, which is cleaned out of the poultry houses once a month or 35 days, is taken by the MHP to their fields and covered with a large layer of straw. It does not bother anyone. It is only dispersed when plowing is in progress," Lyubov Maksimchuk added.

It should be noted that during the hearings the proposals of Bilousivka residents in the town-planning documentation of the "Detailed plan of the territory", the second phase of the biogas complex were also considered. Following the discussion, the residents voted to adopt the draft detailed plan for the site.