– In particular BRG has inspired the many foreign visitors to Sweden to take advantage of Swedish expertise in developing biogas for vehicles in their own countries, says John Boesel, CEO of Calstart, who award the prize. Calstart expect the Californian biogas industry to grow rapidly over the next few years, largely based on what they have learned from Sweden.

Calstart is a non-profit organization that brings together more than 150 companies and organizations from around the world. Its purpose is to support and disseminate technological solutions that contribute to lower emissions, more jobs, and better energy efficiency in the transport sector.

Business Region Göteborg has been running the Biogas Väst project since 1999 with the aim of stimulating market development for the production and distribution of biogas and increase the use of methane powered vehicles in western Sweden. The project involves approximately 25 companies and municipalities in western Sweden.

Biogas Väst has enjoyed close cooperation with Calstart in California since 2003 and has among other things contributed to several Swedish companies being able to set up operations in the American market. As recently as November 2007 the project received a visit from Jim Boyd, Vice Chair of the California Energy Commission and one of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s closest advisers.
– Really exciting news! That Calstart, California and the USA are recognizing biogas as a vehicle fuel will contribute to a breakthrough, says Göran Värmby at Business Region Göteborg. It is also gratifying for all the companies and players who have contributed to Biogas Väst’s success.

For more information, please contact :
Göran Värmby, Business Region Göteborg, Project Manager of Business Operated Environmental Development at BRG and Chairman of Biogas Väst, tel. 0707-612462

Bernt Svensen, Project Manager, Biogas Väst, tel. 0704-415619.

Business Region Göteborg works to strengthen and develop trade and industry in the Göteborg region. We are a non-profit company representing 13 municipalities. Our goal is to contribute to strong growth, a high level of employment, and diversity in trade and industry in the region.