- Ence Biogas is firmly on track to produce 1,000 GWh by 2030 and already has a portfolio of 28 projects.
- The latest update of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) foresees an annual biogas production of 20,000 GWh in 2030.
Ence has closed the acquisition of a biomethane generation plant in the municipality of La Galera (Tarragona). The facility, which extends over five hectares, is designed to produce up to 50 GWh of biomethane per year, with its corresponding sustainability certificates.
The company has also signed a 15-year agreement with a major gas trading company for the sale of the biomethane produced by the plant.
As part of its business plan, the Ence Group subsidiary plans to make investments to adapt the plant to its environmental standards. Within this framework, it will apply its know-how and the technology already implemented in its pulp mills to eliminate odorous emissions.
Differential values of Ence Biogas
Ence Biogas has important differential values in its business model. It applies strict criteria when selecting the location and design of its plants in order to achieve maximum integration into the community.
In addition, the plant sites are located at a sufficient distance from population centres and isolated dwellings and are selected taking into account the access roads, in order to guarantee that no lorry traffic is generated through urban centres. The aim is to operate under the umbrella of the community’s social licence.
Growing portfolio: 14 projects in the environmental pipeline
In line with this business model, Ence Biogas expects to produce 1,000 GWh of biomethane by 2030, and to this end has a portfolio of 14 projects in environmental proceedings, mainly in Castilla y León, Aragón, Catalonia, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura and Andalusia. In addition, the company has another 14 initiatives under development that already have a location and feasibility study completed.
Biomethane is a key element in achieving the European Union’s energy transition and decarbonisation objectives. According to the latest report by the European Biogas Association (EBA), Europe reached 22.1 billion cubic metres (22.1 bcm) of energy generated through biogas and biomethane production in 2023, compared to an EU-wide target of 35 bcm in 2030.
As far as Spain is concerned, according to the EBA report, total biomethane production is estimated to reach 252 GWh in 2023. This figure places us far behind the countries with the highest growth in biomethane production, such as Italy (+3,392 GWh) and France (+2,164 GWh). However, according to the Sedigas report for the same year, Spain has the potential to become the third largest producer in Europe by 2030, behind France and Germany.
