Biogas has no one to produce it in Spain

Of the potential 2,326 biomethane production plants that could exist in Spain, according to a study by Sedigas that has become a benchmark for the sector, currently there are only 11 active plants, of which eight are located in Catalonia. This renewable gas, comparable to natural gas, has yet to take off in one of the territories with the most raw materials for its production (domestic organic waste, industrial waste, agricultural waste, sewage sludge, livestock manure, and energy crops). In the whole of Europe, where there are 1,548 biogas plants connected to the grid, this renewable gas already represents 6.7% of the total gas consumption, following an 18% increase in production in 2023, according to the European Biogas Association statistical report 2024.

“Biogas is a resource that already exists, it is not a resource of the future but rather one that is available today and we have to take advantage of it,” said Josep Maria Serena, General Director of Energy for the Government of Catalonia. Serena, who acknowledges that “biogas is often overlooked,” made these statements during a conference on the challenges and opportunities of this renewable gas organized by the Catalan Institute of Industrial Engineers and Naturgy, in collaboration with the Bioenergy Cluster of Catalonia. On a positive note, the General Director announced that the launch of five more plants in Catalonia is in its final stages.

Spain could meet 40% of its natural gas needs with biomethane

In the same meeting, José Luis Gil, director of renewable gases at Naturgy, highlighted that biomethane “is produced every day and at every hour of the year.” Additionally, the expert asserts that it is “the most efficient solution for decarbonizing the residential and industrial sectors.” In this sense, it is estimated that Spain could cover around 40% of its natural gas needs with biomethane, decarbonizing sectors that face difficulties in transitioning to electricity. Furthermore, biogas production not only avoids the generation of biodegradable waste, but also involves the capture and utilization of methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more harmful than carbon dioxide.

According to Xavier Flotats, emeritus professor at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya and expert in renewable gases, the problem is that “it requires coordination of policies from very different areas and the understanding of professionals from very diverse fields, such as agriculture, the chemical industry, energy, waste management...”. Flotats laments that he has been in the sector for many years “seeing how opportunities slip away”.

To “boost the development of biogas and biomethane generation plants in Spain,” the Association of Renewable Energy Companies (Appa) has established the Biogas Section of Appa Renovables. Led by Acciona Energía, Grupo Arrate, Edison Next, Ence Biogás, Engie, RIC Energy, Urbaser, and Veolia, the new section aims to “defend the sector's interests and help establish a regulatory and remuneration framework to promote these projects in our country.” Meanwhile, the Spanish Biogas Association (Aebig) has taken advantage of Sara Aagesen's appointment as third vice president and Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge to urge her to make “biogas and biomethane a key focus in the ecological transition agenda.”