REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM MOLDOVA 2025

19th Edition – Vatra Dornei, 9–13 July 2025

Thematic Panel:

Energy and the Transition to a Sustainable Energy System

Speaker:

Mihai Pal – Director, Cordun Branch, Genesis Biopartner

Topic of the Intervention:

“Biogas as a Strategic Resource for the Sustainable Energy Development of Romania and the Moldova Region”

At the Regional Economic Forum Moldova (FERM 2025), held between 9 and 13 July in Vatra Dornei, Panel 5 – Energy highlighted innovative solutions for a sustainable future. Among the invited speakers was Mihai Pal, Director of the Cordun branch of Genesis Biopartner, who presented how biogas can become a strategic resource for Romania and the entire region.

Biogas – Energy from Local Resources

At the beginning of his presentation, Mihai Pal emphasized one of the major advantages of biogas: independence from imports.

“Biogas production is primarily based on local raw materials and does not depend on external factors.”

Genesis Biopartner, a company with 100% Romanian capital and over a decade of experience in this field, develops technologies that transform biodegradable waste into energy. The first biogas plant was opened in 2013 in Filipeștii de Pădure, Prahova, with a capacity of 1 MW, which was later upgraded to 2 MW. In 2024, the company inaugurated a new unit in Cordun, Neamț County, and two additional investments are planned for 2025 – in Craiova and Timișoara.

Waste – Transformed into Resources

Genesis Biopartner plants operate by utilizing organic waste from the food industry, retail, and HoReCa. Examples include expired products, processed meats, dairy, oils, fats, and whey.

“For the most part, we use everything that was intended for human consumption but can no longer be consumed. Plastic is not part of the process, but our facilities are capable of separating organic matter from packaging.”

Through agreements with strategic partners, including top retailers like Lidl and Penny, as well as smaller companies, biogas plants consistently receive the raw materials required for the process.

From Biogas – Electrical and Thermal Energy

The technological process involves converting biogas into electrical and thermal energy through cogeneration engines. The electricity is delivered to the National Energy System, while the thermal energy is used either in technological processes or supplied to industrial partners.

“At Filipești, the thermal energy is used by a nearby meat processing plant, which benefits from both electricity and heat.”

Another advantage is the flexibility in energy use. Biogas can be stored in tanks with a capacity of over 11,000 m³, allowing the company to produce energy during hours with the best market prices.

Infrastructure and Location

The Cordun facility spans approximately 5 hectares, reflecting the industrial scale of the project. The technological lines include fermentation and storage areas as well as halls dedicated to processing and separating packaging waste.

The location in Neamț County is strategic: its central position in the region provides logistical advantages, facilitating the collection and transportation of biodegradable waste from a wide area.

Biogas – A Strategic Direction for Energy Transition

Mihai Pal’s intervention highlighted a pragmatic and sustainable perspective on Romania’s energy future. Biogas not only valorizes waste, reducing environmental pressure, but also contributes to energy security through a local and predictable resource.

“We believe biogas represents one of the essential directions of the energy transition, and our investments demonstrate that Romania can develop modern, efficient, and energy-independent solutions,” concluded the Cordun branch director.

Conclusion

Through his presentation at FERM 2025, Mihai Pal emphasized that biogas is not just an alternative energy source but a strategic solution for Romania’s future. This technology transforms waste into a valuable resource, reduces dependency on imports, and contributes to environmental protection through responsible management of biodegradable waste.

Furthermore, the process flexibility – from biogas storage to the utilization of electrical and thermal energy – demonstrates the potential for integrating these plants into the local and national economy. Genesis Biopartner’s investments confirm that Romania possesses the expertise and capital to build a model for energy transition based on local, sustainable, and long-term competitive resources.