Valencia renews its push for a regional biogas network
Valencia is laying the groundwork for a network of one hundred biogas plants across the Valencian Community. The aim is to lessen dependence on natural gas and strengthen circular economy practices by turning waste into usable energy. The plan targets a 6.5 percent drop in natural gas use and aims to deliver substantial annual savings of about 300 million euros. Facilities would be split with 40 percent public and 60 percent private participation, and the initiative seeks to attract around 300 million euros in European funding. The regional government would contribute 150 million euros, while private investors would add 50 million euros. Industry leaders have welcomed the initiative with cautious optimism. Across Europe, roughly 18,000 biogas plants exist, yet Spain currently operates only around 200 of them.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition, in partnership with the Valencia Biogas Route, is pursuing a new industrial sector capable of generating approximately 6,000 green jobs. The effort supports climate action, strengthens the circular economy, and improves energy resilience amid historically high energy costs.
Mireia Mollà, the Minister for Ecological Transition, emphasized the urgency of accelerating this sector for its environmental and economic benefits, particularly in the context of the ongoing energy crisis linked to the Ukraine conflict.
Key elements of the Route were outlined during a briefing attended by the minister, Mireia Mollà, the regional secretary for Ecological Transition, Paula Tuzón, and other senior officials. Technical staff from the ministry were also present.
The initiative blends environmental gains with local economic advantages from regional production. It aims to achieve a three percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within the region and to improve waste recovery from municipal solid waste, wastewater facilities, livestock operations, and the agri-food sector. The sustainable industry is expected to generate thousands of jobs, reduce natural gas purchases, and attract hundreds of millions in external investment.
There is a clear opportunity and political will to accelerate biogas production in this strategic area. The goal is to boost current output and potentially replace a portion of household energy demand with renewable gas, while also positioning the region as a model for large-scale biogas adoption.
Environmental impact
Leaders expressed optimism about the environmental benefits of the proposal while noting the need for a steady energy transition as prices rise. The plan envisions not only lower energy bills but also direct emissions reductions, with potential reductions in greenhouse gas costs and measurable emission savings through the biogas program.
The department led by Mireia Mollà is pushing to finalize support for the Valencia Biogas Route with strong funding from Next Generation EU, complemented by regional and private contributions. Total investments are expected to reach about half a billion euros, enabling the construction of one hundred production facilities across public and private sectors. The effort aims to maximize the potential of a technology with existing maturity but underutilization at the national level.
The Valencia Biogas Route rests on solid feasibility studies that confirm the region’s capacity to recover waste from wastewater treatment plants, manure, herbaceous residues from livestock operations, agri-food byproducts, and organic waste. These insights are publicly available through the Conselleria and support the case for scaled biogas deployment.