There are currently five biomethane plants in Spain injecting into the gas network (with a coverage of more than 100.000 km). Spain's total biomethane production in 2021 amounted to 100 GWh.
There is strong interest in the development of the biomethane market: the biogas sector is asking the Spanish government to approve support mechanisms for renewable gas and its injection into the gas network.
Two interesting key developments: I) the last four biomethane plants were commissioned within 14 months; II) private investments in biomethane production plants are focused on the EU market.
The sector's objective is for biomethane to reach a 10% share of gas consumption in 2030 (around 30 TWh of biomethane). To achieve this, it is essential to establish a reasonably stable regulatory framework and a long-term forecast to attract investments and encourage both supply and demand. Furthermore, it is urgent to implement a system of Guarantees of Origin for biomethane, which includes information on compliance with sustainability criteria and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the biogas production process, where applicable. The implementation of appropriate policies to better take advantage of the energy potential of biomethane producers, prioritizing the injection of biomethane into the grid, is also a key element for the development of the biomethane sector.
GO systems have not yet been implemented in Spain. The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge published Royal Decree 376/2022, of May 17, which regulates the sustainability criteria and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels. , as well as the renewable gas GO system. Determines the creation of a GO system applicable to renewable gases, such as biogas/biomethane and green hydrogen, establishing the definition of these guarantees, their content, the conditions for their emission, as well as the authorization for the designation of an entity responsible for its management and the procedure for the operation of the aforementioned system. ENAGAS GTS was designated to implement this Guarantees of Origin system on a temporary basis.
Recently, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge has published Order TED/1026/2022, of October 28, which approves the management procedure of the system of guarantees of origin of gas from renewable sources. This procedure will regulate the operation of the system of guarantees of origin of gas from renewable sources in Spain. ENAGAS GTS has until March 2023 to activate the service.
November 16th 2022
Source: REGATRACE
