Enagás Renovable presents the ‘Sustainable Local Development Program’ for its biomethane projects in the Region of Murcia

• This program aims to promote sustainable initiatives linked to Enagás Renovable’s biomethane projects in Las Torres de Cotillas, San Javier, and Santomera, fostering collaboration with municipalities and local communities.

• The initiative reinforces the company’s commitment to creating shared value, fostering sustainable development, and advancing the circular economy in the municipalities where it operates.

Madrid (Spain), December 5, 2024. Enagás Renovable, a leading company in the development of green hydrogen and biomethane projects, has launched the ‘Sustainable Local Development Program,’ designed to support initiatives promoting sustainable development in the municipalities where the company operates. This program aligns with the development of three biomethane plants in San Javier, Las Torres de Cotillas, and Santomera, which are expected to begin operations in 2027.

The Program, envisioned as a mechanism for continuous positive impact throughout the operational life of the plants, aims to maximize value for the territories hosting these biomethane facilities.

To foster sustainable long-term positive impact in these areas, the initiative promotes entrepreneurship and the local circular economy, as well as environmental conservation, among other goals.

Each of the projects promoted by Enagás Renovable in the Region of Murcia will individually adhere to the company’s ‘Sustainable Local Development Program.’

The first phase of this initiative has been presented for Las Torres de Cotillas and nearby municipalities, where Enagás Renovable is planning a biomethane plant capable of managing up to 150,000 tons of organic waste annually in its digesters, sourced from local economic activity in the project area.

The plant is projected to generate around 70 GWh/year of biomethane, a renewable gas that can be directly injected into the natural gas network, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

For this project, it is estimated that up to 150 direct jobs will be created during the construction phase and up to 25 direct jobs in the operation and maintenance phase, thereby contributing to the area’s economic and social dynamism.

To expand the positive scope of this initiative, the company will collaborate with the Town Halls of Las Torres de Cotillas and neighboring municipalities, as well as local associations, to identify sustainable local development initiatives that benefit the community and its surroundings.

To ensure transparency and encourage citizen participation, Enagás Renovable has created a project profile for Las Torres de Cotillas on the SocialHub platform (by Siembra Energía), where informational materials can be accessed, and queries submitted via email at lastorresdecotillas@enagasrenovable.com.

Additionally, direct communication channels such as a WhatsApp service and informational sessions with local residents and organizations have been established.

Antonio Illescas, Director of Biomethane Operations and Business Development at Enagás Renovable, stated: “Our commitment goes beyond generating renewable energy; we aim to add value to the municipalities where we operate. The Sustainable Local Development Program adapts to the specific needs of each territory through consultation processes with local associations and town councils.”

Commitment to the Region of Murcia

In June, Enagás Renovable announced the development of three biomethane projects in the Region of Murcia, with a total investment exceeding €75 million.

The plants, located in Las Torres de Cotillas, San Javier, and Santomera, are designed to begin operations in 2027, each with an individual capacity of up to 70 GWh of renewable energy annually.

Each facility will process around 150,000 tons of local organic waste annually in its digesters, producing biomethane and approximately 130,000 tons of digestate per year. This byproduct will be used to produce solid organic fertilizers and fertigation solutions, maximizing resource utilization and offering sustainable solutions for both waste management and the agricultural sector.

In addition to the environmental benefits, these projects will have significant economic and social contributions. They are expected to create up to 75 direct jobs and approximately 360 indirect jobs during the operational phase, boosting the area’s economic and demographic vitality.

Transparency with Local Communities

Enagás Renovable, committed to dialogue and transparency, is organizing meetings with Town Halls, neighborhood associations, environmental groups, and other organizations in the Region of Murcia.

These activities, which will progressively extend to other municipalities, include informational meetings and open sessions aimed at sharing details about the benefits of the projects, addressing concerns, and fostering mutual understanding of their positive impacts on energy sustainability and local development.

Biomethane: A Commitment to Sustainability and the Circular Economy

Biomethane plants represent the most effective solution defined by Europe for organic waste management. These facilities, aligned with the principles of the circular economy, transform biowaste from the primary sector into renewable gas to replace natural gas and into organic fertilizers that can be returned to the fields as sustainable solutions.

Enagás Renovable also boasts extensive experience in launching renewable gas projects in various locations, prioritizing, among other things, the protection of natural and cultural environments, sustainable waste management, and the circular economy.