The Aragon Nature Protection Council (CPNA) has drafted an opinion report on the challenges and opportunities of biogas and biomethane in the region, highlighting their strategic role in the management of organic waste, the production of renewable energy, and the development of local circular economy solutions.
The document, titled "Biogas and biomethane, energy transition, and the circular economy. Challenges and opportunities", It was developed based on the Council's internal deliberations and the conclusions drawn from a panel discussion of experts held in Zaragoza with the collaboration of the Museum of Natural Sciences.
During the event, the dynamism of the sector in Aragon was confirmed: there are currently more than 50 biogas and biomethane plant projects in the pipeline, driven largely by the use of livestock, agro-industrial, and urban byproducts. INAGA alone is processing 48 of these projects, according to data from the Government of Aragon.
Among the Council's proposals, the need to develop a Aragonese Biogas Strategy or a specific guideline for its implementation, with criteria for territorial planning, digestate recovery, and the promotion of a model of small plants distributed and close to waste generation centers.
Experts from the scientific, technical, business, and administrative fields agreed on the value of digestate as a reusable fertilizer and the need to improve its management to avoid environmental impacts. Case studies were presented, such as the Valderrobres plant, managed by Bioselval, and the microalgae biorefinery project by Fertinagro Organia and the BETA Center.
The report also highlights the need to adapt the regional regulatory framework to facilitate the development of these technologies, proposing, among other measures, changes to the Aragonese Waste Catalogue and the SANDACH waste treatment system.
With more than 18 million tons of manure generated annually in Aragon and a strong livestock sector, the region has great potential to position itself as a leader in renewable gas production.