Spain will be the main recipient of private investment in new biomethane plants in Europe.
El 5th Renewable Gas Show It was inaugurated yesterday at the Valladolid Fair in an event presided over by the general director of the IDAE, Miguel Rodrigo, accompanied by representatives of the Regional Government of Castile and León, the Valladolid City Council, and AVEBIOM, the event organizer, and AEBIG, the technology partner.
Miguel Rodrigo, who began his professional career at IDAE in 2008, working specifically on business plans and studying the potential of biogas in Spain, stressed that Biogas and biomethane must play an essential role in the necessary diversification of the renewable energy matrix and in meeting decarbonization objectives.
The first day of the show was marked by a great influx of professional visitors and the intense activity in the halls and stands, where conversations continued even after the day was over. A proactive atmosphere confirms that the sector is no longer talking about potential, but rather about firm projects, and once again underlines the importance of the trade show and congress as a national meeting point.
Javier Diaz, president of AVEBIOM, stressed that “Biogas and biomethane are already a reality in Spain and the Renewable Gas Show is the best platform to show how the sector is moving forward with responsible and mature solutions to achieve more.” energy sovereignty and decarbonization"While Luis Puchades, president of AEBIG, highlighted that "We're on the right side of history: biomethane is a lever for advancing sustainability and supporting the primary sector. The Fair demonstrates that if projects advance hand in hand with the countryside, they will achieve the social acceptance and success we need.".
After the opening ceremony, the Promote Bioenergy Award 2025 posthumously to Roman Monasterio Larrinaga, an industrial engineer, vice president of AVEBIOM for two decades, and a key figure in promoting bioenergy in Spain. The award was collected by his children in a moving tribute.
Two roundtable discussions analyze the evolution of the sector and social responsibility surrounding biomethane.
In the opening speech of the 18th International Bioenergy Congress, Angela Sanz, European Biogas Association (EBA), demonstrated the key role of renewable gases in the European Union's energy transition and noted that Spain will be the main recipient of private investment in new biomethane plants in Europe..
Subsequently, two roundtable discussions discussed the state of the sector in Spain and how to address the social issues surrounding biogas and biomethane plants.
In the round table that analyzed the state of the sector in Spain, project promoters noted that the sector is "progressing adequately," with 17 biomethane plants already in operation and more than 270 in the pipeline or under construction, and with grid injection having doubled in the last year. During the debate, it was emphasized that digestate should cease to be considered a mere byproduct and become the true star product, due to its value as a fertilizer and its ability to reduce groundwater pollution. They also noted that renewable gases are irreplaceable in sectors where electrification is inefficient and called for a mandatory market share that helps generate demand and certainty to consolidate growth
At the table dedicated to addressing the social responsibility of projects of biogas and biomethane, the representatives of AVEBIOM, AEBIG, Sedigas, UPA and ASAJA They agreed that the deployment of biomethane will only be successful if such projects are developed with Transparency, proper planning and tangible benefits for villages and the countryside. Emphasis was placed on the importance of involving farmers and ranchers from the outset, ensuring the correct location of plants, and clearly communicating local benefits to achieve social acceptance.