The City Council defends the usefulness of the facility and clarifies the most debated technical aspects to avoid misinformation.
In response to concerns expressed by residents about the planned construction of a biomethane plant in the municipality, the Mengíbar City Council has issued a detailed statement to explain the true scope of the initiative and respond with technical rigor to the residents' main concerns.
The plant, promoted by Ecomet Jaén SL, is currently undergoing environmental and health assessment by the Regional Government of Andalusia. According to the municipal statement, the project strictly complies with current regulations and has been reviewed by specialized environmental, health, safety, and landscape technicians.
One of the most sensitive aspects, the potential emission of odors, is addressed by the project through a completely sealed design, both in the unloading areas and during the anaerobic digestion process. The system features regenerative atmospheres and activated carbon units to capture volatile compounds. Furthermore, an odor impact study conducted by SUEZ confirms that there is no impact on residential areas.
Regarding emissions, the City Council clarifies that this is a biomethane plant, not a biogas plant, which means there is no regular combustion of the gas generated: all biogas is treated and converted into biomethane for injection into the grid. The only combustion planned is a 1 MW natural gas boiler—a capacity similar to that of a residential community—and a safety flare for occasional and regulated use.
Another point highlighted in the statement is logistics planning. The plant will require between 11 and 12 trucks per day to supply raw materials—waste from the region—but traffic will be channeled through the planned bypass, whose completion is planned before the plant reaches full operation. In the meantime, access will be via closed tankers via secondary roads, minimizing disruptions.
With regard to public health and safety, the plant It is not subject to SEVESO regulations, and the health impact analysis has been classified as "not significant." In addition, landscape integration measures and a socio-environmental plan have been planned, including the creation of a habitat improvement unit for the little bustard, in collaboration with SEO/BirdLife.
The City Council also highlights the project's positive socioeconomic impact: it will create around 30 direct and indirect jobs, and will manage waste that currently causes problems in the municipality, such as vegetable water, slurry, and manure.
"At this City Council, we understand that the project is beneficial: it promotes the circular economy, eliminates waste, creates jobs, and combats climate change," the statement concludes. It adds: "Our commitment is, above all, to preserving people's health and caring for the environment."
In addition, both the City Council and the development company are offering to hold informational meetings with interested residents.
https://aytomengibar.com/comunicado-proyecto-biometano/
MengibarWith just over 9.000 inhabitants, it is located in the metropolitan area of Jaén, just 20 minutes from the capital. The municipality boasts a significant industrial network in its industrial park, where companies operate in sectors such as agribusiness, logistics, olive oil, and materials processing. Its strategic location next to the A-44 makes it an attractive location for new investments linked to the bioeconomy and sustainability.
Image from the official Facebook page of the Mengíbar City Council