Category: News

Tribune of Diego Azqueta Smith, Director of International Origination of BIORIG, in El Español

Biomethane has established itself as one of the key energy carriers in the European Union. This is no coincidence: it is a locally produced, sustainable energy source that is compatible with existing natural gas infrastructures.

Its mass deployment is no longer an idea for the future, but an institutional priority. The European Union, through the Commission, has set a target of achieving an annual production of 35 bcm of biomethane by 2030 – approximately 10.5% of European consumption.

The reasons for this determined gamble are not only environmental, but also geopolitical: in less than two years, the EU must find an alternative to Russian gas imports, which accounted for around 18% of the continent’s gas purchases in 2024; in line with the plan to completely eliminate energy purchases from Russia by 2027.

Energy security has led Italy to make biomethane a strategic priority.

The destination set by Brussels is clear, and the ball is now in the court of the Member States, which have to build the paths to be followed by the different actors involved in the deployment of biomethane (producers, consumers, the primary sector, local administrations, etc.).

However, this deployment is uneven, and while some countries are following this development in the fast lane, on well-marked and direct roads, others are moving forward on curvy roads with diffuse signage and uneven surfaces.

Untapped potential

Spain has already taken up the European baton through the latest update of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC), which sets a target of 20 TWh of biogas by 2030, of which approximately 12 TWh is expected to come from biomethane.

Biomethane is a renewable energy and molecularly identical to fossil natural gas, allowing it to be stored, transported and injected into the current grid.

The Italian government has already started to redirect planned aid from hydrogen to biomethane.

It is a mature technology that offers a viable solution for sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy transport or industry. Moreover, it is produced using “kilometre 0” raw materials, such as organic agricultural and livestock waste – slurry and manure – which solves the challenge of the correct environmental management of waste from the primary sector.

In Spain, the opportunity is enormous. According to Sedigas, we are the third European country with the greatest potential and we have the capacity to generate up to 163 TWh/year, more than half of the national consumption of fossil natural gas.

The Italian case

However, potential does not guarantee success. Italy shows that, with the right stimulus, it can lead the sector in Europe. Despite ranking fifth in Europe in terms of the volume of raw materials available, it has built a functional, scalable and territorially integrated industry from scratch in record time.

Just look at the figures: in 2018, Italy had only seven installations connected to the gas grid. Spain, on the other hand, had just one. By the end of 2024, the leap is clear. Italy has 133 plants in operation, 101 of which were commissioned in the same year. Spain, on the other hand, only had 9 plants in operation.

One of the keys to Italy’s acceleration has been urgency. In 2024, 44.1% of its energy production came from natural gas, much of it still imported from Russia. In contrast, Spain has reduced this dependence to 18.7% thanks to renewables, although it still needs to diversify its energy mix.

Energy security has led Italy to make biomethane a strategic priority.

This has favoured a strong and coherent institutional support framework, including investment grants, volume bonuses and feed-in tariffs, which guarantee a fixed price for a fixed period of time, reducing the financial risk of projects.

Many of these grants are financed by Next Generation EU funds and expire in the first half of 2026. To keep pace, Italy needs new incentives.

The government has already started to redirect planned hydrogen subsidies towards biomethane, adding 640 million euros to the fossil gas substitution effort. But to reach the 5.7 bcm (55 TWh/year) target set in the Italian PNIEC for 2030, it will be necessary to look beyond the short term.

Rural development and the circular economy
In Spain, on the other hand, the focus has been on supply. Current aid, which is scarce and limited in volume, is focused on reducing the cost of building plants, but without articulating a solid demand that would encourage production.

This imbalance could result in energy produced in Spain being exported to countries with better demand conditions, losing an opportunity for reindustrialisation, boosting local development and ecological transition.

To consolidate the sector, Spain needs to move towards a demand-side support scheme that guarantees the viability of projects.

Today, biomethane is more expensive to produce than fossil gas, so it needs incentives to compensate for this difference and optimise its benefits. These go far beyond the decarbonisation of the energy sector, as biomethane also contributes to the generation of a circular economy in agricultural environments, helps bring investment to rural environments and ensures energy sovereignty with a renewable gas made from local inputs.

At Biorig we believe that Spain not only has the potential to lead this transformation, it has the experience, the environmental commitment and the business fabric to make it happen. Italy has shown that it is possible. Now it is Spain’s turn to make biomethane a shared success story between the countryside and industry.

Biogas and biomethane: keys to a sustainable future

Madrid, 06-04-25. The transition to a more sustainable energy model requires renewable energy sources that reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Biogas and biomethane, renewable technologies with more than 40 years of development in Europe, are positioned as key solutions within the circular economy, transforming organic waste into clean and usable energy.

Although both are renewable gases and can be obtained by anaerobic digestion processes, the characteristics and uses of these molecules are different from each other. Biogas is produced by the controlled decomposition in an oxygen-free environment (anaerobic digestion) of organic waste. This gas is composed of 55% methane (CH₄) and 45% ‘off-gas’, 98% of which is composed of CO₂.

At Biorig we promote the production of biogas from agricultural and livestock waste – slurry, straw and manure – which is purified to obtain two separate streams with biomethane and biogenic CO₂, key renewable energies for the decarbonization of the planet.

This agreement reinforces our strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, core values that are part of our company’s DNA.

Soria, 26-05-25. At Biorig we are proud to announce our collaboration as official sponsor of the inclusive team of C.D. Numancia de Soria. This agreement reinforces our firm commitment to diversity and inclusion, fundamental values that are part of our company’s DNA.

A fairer, more inclusive sports model

Formed by around 15 players, the C.D. Numancia inclusive team actively participates in inclusive soccer tournaments at national and regional level, promoting a model of sport that is committed to equity, respect and participation of all people, regardless of their abilities.

Recently, the team was proclaimed champion of the Pradoviejo Inclusive Football Tournament, winning 1-0 in a thrilling final against Deportivo Alavés. Throughout the tournament, the Numantinos stood out for their collective effort and competitive spirit, drawing against Eibar (0-0), beating Real Sociedad (1-0) and beating Logroñés (2-1), without defeat.

“The value this team has is immense,” says Carlos Monagas, coach of the inclusive team. “This is totally different from what I have experienced in my years as a soccer player. Among themselves they are very considerate of the help, and we have learned this through training. I’m very happy with this team.

Beyond competition: companionship and values

The players of the inclusive team of C.D. Numancia not only compete, they also represent a philosophy of life. In the tournament ‘The difference makes us equal’, organized by the Real Federación de Castilla y León de Fútbol in Guardo (Palencia), the team finished in a meritorious third position, showing a high level against rivals such as Real Valladolid or C.D. Mirandés.

Francisco Javier Cacho, the team’s defender, sums it up simply: “Not all teams are the same, some only play to win. We play to have fun and be together”. On his role in the ‘Valores Vida x Vida’ tournament, in which they finished undefeated and won the title against Alavés, he adds: “I felt pretty good playing defense, I did pretty well and we were able to win”.

Luz Andrea, the team’s midfielder, also emphasizes the collaborative spirit: “In our team, the most important thing is that we are all together and play as a team. For his part, striker Ali Elkien sums up the soul of the project: “We are all good and we can all play soccer.

Commitment to sustainability and the environment

This sponsorship is also part of our social responsibility policy, linked to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 13: Climate Action. In collaboration with C.D. Numancia, we will promote sustainability initiatives both in the ‘Los Pajaritos’ stadium and in the facilities of its sports city. These actions seek to reduce the environmental footprint of sports activities and raise awareness of the importance of caring for the environment.

This alliance with C.D. Numancia Inclusivo encourages us to continue building a fairer, more diverse and sustainable future. Because at Biorig we believe that true progress is measured by the ability to include everyone.

BIORIG, circular economy and energy sustainability

Biorig is Solarig’s biomethane production division. It was created to provide innovative solutions in the area of renewable gases and CO₂ capture. Its activity is focused on the management of organic waste for its transformation into gases of renewable origin and to promote the development of projects within the framework of the energy transition and the circular economy.

A key element for the circular economy

Madrid, 16-05-25. Biomethane is key to decarbonize sectors that are difficult to electrify, and it is also essential to efficiently manage the waste we generate. This Saturday, on the occasion of World Recycling Day, we share some relevant data to understand why it is so important to properly treat agricultural and livestock waste.

Spain has almost 270 million head of cattle, according to the INE.

In 2023, more than 68 million tons of slurry were produced in Spain.

Many regions in Spain already face environmental problems resulting from the accumulation of waste.

We highlight, on the occasion of the International Clean Energy Day, the great opportunity that Soria has thanks to biomethane

By Carlos Aguilar, Director of Renewable Gases at Biorig

On the occasion of the International Clean Energy Day taking place this week, I would like to highlight that the province of Soria has a great opportunity. Biomethane, a gas of renewable origin, is one of the best alternatives to promote a greener and more sustainable economy, encourage job creation, and increase the wealth of the territories. As a sustainable substitute for fossil gas, biomethane contributes to reducing the impact of climate change, boosts energy independence, and improves the management and traceability of agricultural and livestock raw materials. A key aspect is that biomethane facilitates the removal of slurry and manure from the fields, something particularly sensitive in Soria, where 10% of the territory has been declared at risk due to water contamination.

This technology has been implemented for over 40 years, mainly in countries such as France or Germany (with more than 1,000 and nearly 11,000 biogas and biomethane plants, respectively), and is now emerging as a strategic option in Spain. It is important to highlight that this energy source is key to achieving the decarbonisation targets set in the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC). The aim is to reduce polluting emissions by 32% compared to 1990 levels by 2030.

At the same time, this renewable gas constitutes an essential activity to accelerate the economic growth of Castilla y León. Spain has the potential to develop 163 TWh of biomethane per year, enough to supply 29.5 million households, although the installed capacity currently stands at just 0.315 TWh in 2024, according to the Spanish Gas Association (SEDIGAS) and the GASNAM association. This goal implies increasing the production of renewable gas exponentially. Castilla y León plays a crucial role in this challenge, as it holds the potential to produce 23% of the biomethane in Spain.

From local resources to green energy.

I am convinced that biomethane will improve the energy mix of Castilla y León, but above all, it will drive the sustainable development of the agricultural and livestock sector. The promotion of biomethane contributes to a proper and orderly management of waste, much of which nowadays ends up being dumped in the fields without prior sanitisation. At Biorig, a company with roots in Soria, we develop our facilities with deep respect for communities and the environment.

In this regard, we only recover manure, slurry, and agricultural waste. The use of the most cutting-edge technological solutions, the type of raw materials used, together with the implementation of the most demanding health and safety regulations, ensure that our facilities do not emit odours to the outside. Furthermore, the plants operate under a zero-discharge model following the concept of a circular economy, and zero water consumption, as we use the liquid content of the slurry and have systems for reusing rainwater.

Organic fertilisation of agricultural soils.

The plants we design transform agricultural and livestock raw materials into odourless fertiliser products certified under European Union Regulation 1009/2019, as well as by the Ministry of Agriculture. In this way, the primary sector will benefit from these organic amendments and will have an alternative for fertilising the fields. This verified product undergoes 40 days at 40 degrees, and more than 20 days at temperatures above 50 degrees to ensure its sanitisation and stabilisation before being used in the field.

A more sustainable future for new generations.

To promote a more sustainable future in Soria, it is necessary for new generations to have opportunities. The push for the energy transition through biomethane paves the way for young people in the agricultural and livestock sector, technicians, students, engineers, environmental scientists, or innovative companies committed to technological and sustainable development. Moreover, this includes everything from specialised training in university degrees or master’s programmes, to the creation of new business opportunities focused on the renewable energy and gas sector.

Biomethane can be one of the cornerstones of a new green economy in the 21st century. Its development creates employment, stimulates the local economy, helps tackle the demographic challenge, and ensures a cleaner environment. It is not just an energy alternative; it is a sustainable project for our future.

Biomethane is an efficient solution for the correct management of agricultural and livestock wastes.

By Manuel Alonso, General Manager of Biorig.

The European Union has made courageous progress in the energy transition, with wind and solar energy playing a leading role. Spain, in particular, has led the way in the deployment of renewable electricity, with more than 50% of its generation coming from clean sources. However, electrification is not enough to achieve total decarbonization of the economy.

It is in this context that green gases, such as biomethane, are presented as an essential energy source to decarbonize sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as industry and heavy transport. At the European level, biomethane has established itself as a sustainable alternative to natural gas, as it has the capacity to be stored, distributed and used according to demand, i.e. it has the same properties as fossil molecules, but contributes to the decarbonization of the economy.

In countries such as Denmark and Germany, this technology plays a key role in energy supply, representing in some cases up to 20% of the gas consumed. France has more than 700 production plants and Germany leads European production with more than 11,000 biogas and biomethane plants, while Spain has only 11 operational plants.

The European Union has set an ambitious target of reaching an annual production of 35 billion cubic meters of biomethane by 2030 as part of the REPowerEU plan. This represents a five-fold increase in the currently installed capacity, which last year reached 6.4 million cubic meters, according to the European Biogas Association (EBA).

Spain is set to be a key player in achieving these goals. According to SEDIGAS estimates, our country has the capacity to produce 163 TWh per year from renewable gas, enough to cover practically half of the demand for a year, which Enagás estimated at 311.7 TWh last year.

Decarbonization and environmental solution

In addition to its importance in the decarbonization of the economy, biomethane is an efficient solution for the correct management of agricultural and livestock waste. Spain generates millions of tons of slurry, manure and agricultural waste every year, which, if not managed correctly, can be an environmental problem.

The production of biomethane makes it possible to valorize this waste, reducing its impact on soils and groundwater, while helping farmers and livestock farmers to better manage this waste, much of which today ends up deposited in the fields without sanitization.

Anaerobic digestion, the process by which the biogas from which biomethane is obtained is extracted from agro-livestock raw materials, not only produces the green molecule to be injected into the grid, but also generates the so-called digestate. This by-product, once treated, becomes a high quality organic fertilizer, which represents a real alternative to chemical fertilizers and is in line with EU guidelines, as it reduces dependence on imported products.

At Biorig, a company from Castilla y León, we are developing more than 20 biomethane facilities, 10 of which are located in 6 provinces of Castilla y León. We are sure that these plants, besides having a positive impact on the environment, will contribute to create more wealth in the territories, quality employment, economic development and will boost the agricultural and livestock sector.

We design proximity ecosystems where we collect local agricultural and livestock waste, treat it, and produce new sustainable fertilizers for agricultural soils, promoting the circular economy, the traceability of field manure and avoiding the dumping of thousands of tons of unsanitized waste per year.

In this regard, we only use agricultural raw materials (slurry, manure and straw, mainly corn stover) from nearby farms, ensuring efficient waste management and minimizing the logistical footprint. This approach allows us to improve traceability and always generate a positive impact on local communities.

The organic fertilizer we produce from digestate is solid, odorless and approved through EU Regulation 2019/1009. Its application in agriculture not only avoids the use of chemicals, but also improves soil structure and maintains its fertility for a longer period of time.

In addition, the use of advanced technologies and compliance with strict environmental regulations ensure that our plants do not emit odors, consume water or generate waste.

A strategic opportunity for Spain

Biomethane is not only a solution to the climate crisis, but also an opportunity for economic and social development. To take advantage of it, it is essential to establish incentives that favor demand, guaranteeing competitive prices compared to fossil gas. It also requires a robust regulatory framework, clear roadmaps to streamline procedures and permits, and to help boost investment in new infrastructure.

Without these measures, we run the risk of biomethane investments migrating to other countries, losing a key tool for our energy transition. The development of renewable electricity in Spain is a success story, and now it is time to repeat the milestone with renewable gases. We have the resources and the know-how to lead this sector; now is the time to take the plunge and turn the opportunity into a reality.