Biomethane is a sustainable decarbonization alternative that promotes the circular economy and efficient waste management. It is a renewable energy with continuous, safe and storable production, which takes advantage of the existing gas infrastructure, ensures the energy supply and reduces the environmental impact of the primary sector.
Renewable gas is obtained from the treatment of urban, agricultural, livestock and agri-food industry waste, as well as from wastewater purification. It comes from renewable sources and does not generate carbon emissions. The main renewable gases are biomethane, produced from organic waste, and green hydrogen, generated with renewable electricity and water.
Naturgy wants to lead the push for renewable gases in Spain, both in the production and distribution of biomethane and in the development of hydrogen as an energy vector. The company is well positioned to take advantage of this opportunity and deploy relevant investments. Biomethane is essential to reduce emissions, since it has similar qualities to natural gas, can be distributed through existing infrastructure and used in homes, industries, businesses and transportation.
Biomethane is a mature, affordable and storable technology that provides stability to the energy system. It is clean, indigenous and independent energy that reduces the external bill and contributes to a fair transition. Promotes the circular economy and improves waste management.
The development of biomethane would allow the creation of jobs and the development of rural areas. In addition, it promotes the circular economy by optimizing waste, and converts it into a useful resource, since livestock and agricultural waste is one of the main raw materials for its production.
Organic fertilizers are another product generated in the process, completing the cycle of the circular economy. The deployment of this potential would not only bring wealth to the economy, but would contribute to solving two major challenges: efficient waste management and the demographic challenge.
Biomethane attracts investment in primary sectors and can generate more than 20,000 direct and 40,000 indirect jobs associated with the operation and maintenance of plants, in addition to 35,000 direct and 465,000 indirect jobs linked to their construction. For Marta de Pablos, Capture Director of Nedgia, the gas distributor of the Naturgy group, green gas “promotes the circular economy by transforming waste into energy and reinforces energy security by being produced locally.”
The use of biomethane in the home
Naturgy leads the injection of biomethane into the gas distribution network in Spain. It has three operating plants in Galicia and Catalonia, and will add two more in Valencia and Seville, reaching 104 GWh annually. Its model is based on multi-sector collaboration and a broad portfolio of projects under development. Biomethane contributes to decarbonizing sectors such as energy, waste and organic fertilizers.
According to a study by Salvetti Llombart for Nedgia, 72% of those surveyed consider that renewable gas adapts to their needs and 65% see it as differential because it is a continuous energy. Consumers highlight its renewable nature, its ability to reduce waste and the autonomy provided by its local production.
Current boilers can run 100% on biomethane without additional investment. It is an economical option to decarbonize homes and compatible with the existing gas network. With 30% of the national biomethane potential, the housing stock could be decarbonized at no cost.
Nedgia has a network of more than 60,000 kilometers to bring green gas to 5.5 million consumers in 1,150 municipalities. It has identified more than 290 projects that would allow the injection of 10.7 TWh of renewable gas. It already has 90 injection contracts, with a future capacity of 5,025 GWh/year, and 13 plants connected to the grid.
Challenges in promoting renewable gas
Spain is the third European country with the highest biomethane potential: 163 TWh annually, equivalent to 40% of the demand for natural gas, which would avoid 8.3 million tons of methane and save up to 4,000 million in foreign purchases. The PNIEC has raised the production target to 20 TWh in 2030 and RepowerEU sets it at 35 TWh.
Countries like France are promoting its use and have gone from 44 plants to more than 700 between 2017 and 2024.