The potential of biomethane
Biomethane is emerging as a solution to resolve some concerns of the energy sector in relation to waste management and its decarbonization by carrying out a just transition. To answer these questions, Sedigas published a report in 2023 in which it was revealed that Spain has a biomethane production potential of 163TWh/yeara figure that could cover close to 45% of the national demand for natural gas. According to the same report mentioned above, the materialization of Spain’s biomethane production potential would also represent an important boost to local socioeconomic development, since it would entail the launch of 2,326 specialized plants throughout the entire territory. At this point, it should be noted that Naturgy has signed an agreement with ID Energy Group to deploy at least 20 biomethane plants in Spain. The investment is expected to exceed 500 million euros with an estimated production of 2.5 TWh per year. This will allow 500,000 homes to be decarbonized and reduce CO emissions2. The plants, spread across different parts of Spain, will be ready between 2026 and 2028.
On the other hand, the energy company has signed another agreement with Bioeco Energías to develop new biomethane plants with the capacity to produce 500 GWh per year. With both projects it is estimated that Up to 50 biomethane plants will be developed in Spain before 2030 and a biomethane production of 3TWh is expected, which would be equivalent to 600,000 homes or, to understand it from an environmental point of view, it will reduce CO emissions.2 equivalent to what a plantation would do with 59 million pine trees.
These new projects are added to the three production plants that are already operational: EDAR of Goods (A Coruña), Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona) and Vila-Sana (Lleida). The next ones to be in operation will be Utiel (Valencia) and Utrera (Seville).