A new study by the European Biogas Association positions Spain as a key market for the development of renewable gases in Europe, with a particular focus on biomethane produced from agricultural resources, organic waste, and biomass from land. Low-yield agricultural products.
The European Biogas Association (EBA) has published the study Biogases: Europe's overlooked path to energy independence?, prepared by Guidehouse, which analyzes the production potential of biogas, biomethane and e-methane in Europe until 2050 and highlights the role of these renewable gases in strengthening energy independence, reducing emissions and taking advantage of existing gas infrastructure.
The report notes that the European Union has set a target of producing 35 billion cubic meters (bcm) of biomethane per year by 2030 under the REPowerEU plan. According to Guidehouse, the assessed European potential for that date is already around 34-35 bcm/year, provided that the mobilization of sustainable resources is accelerated and a stable political framework is established.
Spain stands out in the 2050 scenario
Guidehouse places our country among the five European markets with the greatest potential for biomethane production through anaerobic digestion in 2040 and as the country with the greatest potential in 2050, ahead of France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom.
At the European level, the study estimates that by 2030 there could be 33 bcm/year of biomethane through anaerobic digestionwith a significant amount of moist organic matter: manure would contribute the 24% of that potential and industrial wastewater, the 15%.
In the case of Spain, the report attributes much of the long-term growth to the potential associated with soils of low agronomic productivity or currently underutilizedwhich could be allocated to sustainable crops for biomethane without competing with food production. In the high-scenario 2050, Spain appears with up to 7 bcm/year of biomethane potential solely from biomass cultivated in this type of soil, a figure far higher than that of the other European countries analyzed. The study also indicates that around 50% of the 18,2 million hectares Those considered in this category are located in Spain.
The report also highlights that the wet organic matter Manure, biowaste, industrial wastewater, or sewage sludge constitute a particularly suitable resource for anaerobic digestion. Its treatment allows for the production of biogas and biomethane, prevents diffuse methane emissions, recycles nutrients through digestate, and reduces local environmental impacts.
In Spain, this data is especially relevant due to the significant role of the agricultural, livestock, agro-industrial, and urban sectors in generating organic resources. Valorizing these resources through anaerobic digestion allows for the transformation of an environmental problem into renewable energy, organic fertilizers, and economic activity linked to the local area.
The report cautions, however, that the identified potential should not be interpreted as an automatic forecast, but as an estimate of what Europe could achieve if available resources are mobilized, permits are expedited, grid connection is facilitated, and certainty is provided to the entire value chain.
More Information
https://www.europeanbiogas.eu/publication/biogases-europes-overlooked-path-to-energy-independence/