Gas produced from organic waste from livestock and urban activities offers a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. It helps reduce Spain’s dependence on foreign energy and supports emission reductions needed to address climate change. ENAGAS, the operator of the gas system, reports a 72% increase in biomethane’s presence in transport and distribution networks between January and October. So far this year, 140 GWh have circulated through the grids, and this figure is expected to grow as renewable gas distribution expands.
The renewable gas revolution, with a focus on biomethane, is advancing. Spain has substantial potential for renewable gas production, yet progress has been slower than ideal. Nevertheless, the network increasingly incorporates biomethane each year. European Biogas Association currently lists 992 biogas plants across Europe, with a 17% year-over-year growth. Spain operates 12 biomethane plants at present.
Biomethane offers two key advantages in decarbonizing the energy system. First, it is produced from municipal waste, wastewater treatment, and byproducts of agriculture, livestock, and the agri-food sector. This supports a circular economy and is considered CO2 neutral. As stated by the Institute for Energy Diversification and Conservation (IDAE), biogas has strong potential to cut greenhouse gas emissions and is the only renewable energy suitable for electricity, heat, or fuel applications.
Second, biomethane is a renewable gas with a quality that allows it to be injected into the existing gas grid and used by any natural gas consumer without changes to infrastructure or consumer devices. It can be distributed via current natural gas networks and used in homes, industries, and mobility alike, including air conditioning systems, boilers, and gaseous heating solutions.
Consequently, the Government approved the Biogas Roadmap, outlining the challenges and opportunities for developing this renewable gas. The plan aims to increase production by roughly 3.8 times to exceed 10.4 TWh by 2030, focusing on electricity and useful heat for industry and sustainable biofuel for mobility. It also proposes 150 million euros in grants. This biogas expansion targets a 28% share of renewable energy in transportation by 2030 and would prevent about 2.1 million tons of CO2 emissions annually.
There are currently 12 operating plants in Spain, following a recent acceleration that expanded the sector from two. Spain also hosts around 160 biomethane projects managed by Nedgia, with a potential capacity exceeding 6 TWh per year. Projections for 2024 indicate a robust growth path, with 64 power plants expected on Spanish soil and a potential output of 2,077 GWh per year, up from 162 GWh today.
Among the most notable biomethane facilities in Spain are those that generate energy from municipal waste, pig slurry, wastewater, or agri-food waste. One example is the Elena plant in Cerdanyola del Vallès, near Barcelona. Operated by Naturgy, this facility sits beside the Elena landfill and marked a milestone by injecting renewable gas into the Spanish gas distribution network in 2021, producing about 15 GWh per year and preventing approximately 3,000 tons of CO2 each year. This amount is enough to power about 3,000 homes and is linked to the planting of roughly 6,200 trees. Some biomethane produced here is used as vehicle fuel.
- Vila-Sana biomethane plant (Lleida), managed by Ecobiogás, located at the Porgaporcs farm in Vila-sana for nutrient recovery from pollutant slurry, with plans to inject into the natural gas grid starting in 2023.
Edar Bens, a public company, treats wastewater from several municipalities in La Coruña and feeds the Mixed Renewable Gas Unit to produce biomethane. The plant can yield about 5 GWh per year, enough for 1,000 homes, while preventing around 1,000 tons of CO2 annually, comparable to planting about 2,085 trees.
The UNUE project biomethane plant, run by Biogasnalia, represents the first in Spain to inject biomethane produced from agri-food waste into the gas grid. Handling up to 90 tons of waste daily from various food sectors, it can generate 25 GWh per year, serving about 5,000 homes and preventing around 5,000 tons of CO2 each year, roughly the equivalent of 10,500 trees planted.
The biomethane production process begins with the anaerobic digestion of organic matter to form biogas. This gas then undergoes upgrading, a purification step that concentrates methane and removes impurities to meet legal quality specifications. The result is fully renewable gas that reduces energy reliance and aligns with domestic agricultural production.
Biomethane stands as a practical option to reduce fossil fuel use and supports a carbon-neutral economy. It benefits the climate by lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste handling, and as a renewable resource, it can be cycled through various uses. It also helps revitalize rural areas by creating value from local resources.
Spain has strong biogas and biomethane potential, driven by agriculture and animal husbandry. A recent report from Sedigas indicates a theoretical capacity of 137 TWh per year. This would meet more than all domestic and commercial energy needs and a substantial portion of total natural gas demand. The European Commission recognizes the extensive gas infrastructure in Spain as a key advantage for biomethane deployment versus other energy transition technologies.
The anticipated growth of biogas plants, especially biomethane, points toward a decarbonized economy in Spain. The sector supports CO2 emission reductions, requires no new infrastructure, maintains current natural gas uses, reduces energy dependence on foreign suppliers, and can boost rural communities. These factors collectively strengthen the case for expanding renewable gas in the energy mix.