The group of facilities will produce biomethane equivalent to 20% of the annual gas consumption of households in Castilla y León. The plants, which will be built in rural areas of the provinces of León, Zamora, Salamanca, Valladolid, Burgos, and Soria, are expected to be operational by the end of 2025.
These infrastructures have a strategic nature for the sustainable rural development of the region, boosting wealth and population retention by creating more than 350 local jobs. The 10 plants will enable the reuse of more than one and a half million tonnes of agricultural and livestock waste, producing a renewable gas that will avoid the annual emission of 300,000 tonnes of CO₂ into the atmosphere.
Organic-based fertilisers will also be produced, and state-of-the-art technology will be incorporated to capture biogenic CO₂ and achieve zero discharge in operations.
Biorig, the biomethane division of Solarig, has announced an investment of 250 million euros for the development, construction and operation of 10 biomethane production facilities in the region of Castilla y León.
The group of plants will produce an amount of biomethane equivalent to the total annual gas consumption of 20% of households in the autonomous community. The new facilities will be located in rural areas of municipalities in the provinces of León, Zamora, Salamanca, Valladolid, Burgos and Soria, generating a significant positive impact on the rural and sustainable development of the region. Likewise, this project will create more than 350 jobs and will allow the recovery of more than one and a half million tonnes per year of agricultural and livestock waste, which will prevent the emission of 300,000 tonnes of CO₂ into the atmosphere. The facilities, whose development has already begun, are expected to be operational by the end of 2025. The development project of the first of these facilities was presented last October in San Millán de los Caballeros (León).
“Castilla y León has the greatest potential for biomethane generation in Spain. These facilities, in addition to being new sources of green energy production, constitute essential infrastructures for the correct management and long-term recovery of waste in the region. Fifteen years ago, we invested in and built the largest solar energy plant in Castilla y León, in the municipalities of Frechilla de Almazán and Coscurita (Soria), an infrastructure that continues to produce renewable energy steadily to this day. Today we announce the development of 10 plants that represent our commitment to biomethane in this autonomous community,” explained Miguel Ángel Calleja, President of Solarig. Miguel Ángel Calleja, presidente de Solarig.
“We are already developing the 10 facilities that will all use agricultural and livestock waste, manure, slurry and agricultural residues as their main energy source. They will be 100% sustainable, zero-emission plants, respectful of the rural environment and fully compliant with the most rigorous environmental and sustainable soil fertilisation regulations. Our growth plan in Castilla y León is a differential factor for its energy development and a driver of growth for strategic sectors such as agriculture and livestock,” , said Manuel Alonso, General Manager of Biorig.
Zero Discharge Technology
The 10 facilities will feature state-of-the-art technology to ensure zero discharge: from the capture of biogenic CO₂ to the reuse of rainwater, enabling zero water consumption and guaranteeing zero discharge. In addition, the by-products or digestates (the waste remaining after the energy production process) will be treated to be converted into organic fertilisers. In this way, dependence on chemical fertilisers will be reduced, contributing to more sustainable fertilisation of agricultural soils in the region.
BIORIG, circular economy and energy sustainability
Biorig is the biomethane production division of Solarig. It was created with the aim of providing innovative solutions in the field of renewable gases and CO₂ capture. CO2. Its activity focuses on the management of organic waste for its transformation into renewable gases and the promotion of project development within the framework of the energy transition and the circular economy.
Solarig, sustainable energy solutions for society
Solarig develops the infrastructure needed for the energy transition, and builds, operates, and financially structures large-scale renewable energy projects. It currently manages more than 10 GW of photovoltaic assets and has a portfolio of more than 20 GW in 16 countries. The company promotes global decarbonisation in the regions where it operates through renewable energy and green gas solutions. Headquartered in Madrid, Spain, it has a strong presence in Europe, Central and South America, Japan and Australia. Committed to innovation and sustainability, Solarig has a team of more than 1,000 professionals.
Solarig works towards the energy transition and global decarbonisation and contributes to achieving the highest levels of energy independence in the markets where it operates. Solarig’s purpose is to play a key role in the sustainable progress of society, leading the transition towards cleaner energy sources. The company aspires to generate a positive impact on the environment through its operations and its relationships with public authorities, shareholders, clients, professionals, partners and suppliers.
