The 17th International Bioenergy Congress held a round table last October to analyse the delicate issue of the social impact of new biogas and biomethane plants in Spain.
The sector is facing a debate that highlights the need for comprehensive strategies that combine technical excellence in projects, effective communication and a collaborative approach to ensure social acceptance of these infrastructures, which are so important for the energy transition in our country and Europe.
The members of the panel were Javier Díaz, president of AVEBIOM; Luis Puchades, president of AEBIG; Jordi Serra, president of the Bioenergy Cluster of Catalonia; Jaime Fernández, head of the Environmental Prevention and Climate Change Service of the Junta de Castilla y León; and Joan Batalla, president of SEDIGAS.
Biogas and biomethane undoubtedly represent a unique opportunity for Spain: projects under development have multiplied in the last 5 years and can provide important environmental, economic and social benefits such as sustainable waste treatment, the generation of organic fertilizers, the decarbonization of key sectors such as transport and agriculture and the creation of local employment. “Biogas has already exploded, but we are not seeing it yet because the projects are still in the pipeline,” ensures Luis Puchades, who has no doubt that “When these biomethane plants become a reality, many fears will be proven unfounded.”
Of course, the success of project implementation depends both on technical excellence and on overcoming social barriers. As pointed out by Jordi Serra: "Without social acceptance, the energy transition is in danger." In his opinion, Encouraging active community participation from the start of project development allows residents to understand and become involved in the benefits that biomethane can bring to them. “Each project must be developed based on the needs and reality of the region in which it is installed”, Señala.
Social acceptance requires a joint commitment between promoters, public administrations and local communities. This model of "shared responsibility", which goes a step beyond traditional public-private collaboration, involves defining clear objectives, being transparent and seeking tangible benefits for the territories.
It is also essential to have a regulatory environment that offers stability to attract investment. In this regard, Joan Battle points out that “The competitiveness and growth of biomethane depends on a regulatory framework that supports investments.”
Furthermore, the speakers highlighted the need for a common and appropriate communication strategy to counteract the proliferation of hoaxes and misunderstandings. "We can't let social media run wild," he pointed Jaime Fernandez, emphasizing the importance of a quick and effective response to misinformation, rather than waiting to respond to allegations. “Negative social perception is very difficult to reverse.”
The need to use simple and direct language to reach communities is key, and even the possibility of organizing visits to existing facilities to demonstrate their positive impact. "It is important to bring people to see and feel what a biogas plant really is," assured Javier Diaz during the discussion, which concluded by recalling that "Our best allies will be our best examples», concluded a panelist, stressing that excellence in projects will be the key to gaining the trust of society.
