Enagás Renovable Presents Three Biomethane Development Projects in the Region of Murcia with an Investment of Over 75 Million Euros

• Enagás Renovable, together with the President of the Region of Murcia and the Mayor of San Javier, presented today the biomethane development projects in the area, which will have a combined production capacity of more than 200 GWh per year. 
• The company’s three plants are planned for San Javier, Las Torres de Cotillas, and Santomera, and are expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2027. 
• These projects represent approximately 6% of the biomethane development potential in the Region of Murcia, which amounts to 3.5 TWh per year, equivalent to 13% of the gas demand in the region. 

San Javier, Murcia (Spain), July 31, 2024.- Enagás Renovable, a leading company in the development of green hydrogen and biomethane projects, plans to develop three biomethane projects in San Javier, Las Torres de Cotillas, and Santomera, with a total investment exceeding 75 million euros. These plants, which will begin operations in 2027, will have a combined capacity to generate more than 200 GWh of renewable energy per year. The event was held in Santiago de la Ribera, near the Mar Menor, and was attended by Mr. Fernando López Miras, President of the Region of Murcia; Mr. José Miguel Luengo Gallego, Mayor of San Javier; and Antón Martínez Rodríguez, CEO of Enagás Renovable.

In the welcoming remarks, attended by around 50 people from the institutional, energy, agricultural, and industrial sectors, as well as partners of Enagás Renovable in the development of biomethane plants, the mayor of the town highlighted: “Biomethane generation plants are the best solution defined by Europe for the management of organic waste. These plants are part of the circular economy, transforming biowaste from the primary sector into renewable gas to replace natural gas, and organic fertilizers that can be returned to the fields as a sustainable solution. 

Undoubtedly, the installation of the biomethane plant in San Javier is another advancement that helps continue our commitment to the compatibility of uses in our municipality with a significant value in the primary and environmental sectors.” 

Antón Martínez then spoke, stating: “At Enagás Renovable, we are committed to boosting biomethane production throughout Spain, where we have an extensive portfolio of projects in various stages of development. Now, we are betting on the Region of Murcia as a strategic hub for developing projects with a production capacity of over 200 GWh, which will avoid the emission of 350,000 tons of CO2 per year into the atmosphere, and will be an economic and employment engine in the area.” 

Following this, Antonio Illescas, Director of Biomethane Operations and Business Development at Enagás Renovable, explained the company’s projects in the region, developed with the support of local partner Lambert. Specifically, he highlighted the potential of the area for deploying such projects due to the significant livestock, agricultural, and agri-food industries, and the regional administration’s support for biomethane. 

The plants planned in San Javier, Las Torres de Cotillas, and Santomera will jointly manage around 400,000 tons per year of local organic waste, generating 360,000 tons of digestate available for the production of solid organic fertilizers and fertigation. As Illescas explained, this development in the area is expected to create 75 direct jobs and another 360 indirect jobs, boosting the local economy and demographics. Additionally, Antonio emphasized that the key to the success of these projects lies in establishing strategic alliances with top-tier waste producers in the Region of Murcia. 

Enagás Renovable also has a notable track record in launching biomethane projects in various locations, prioritizing, among other things, the protection of natural and cultural environments, sustainable waste management, and the circular economy. 

The closing remarks were given by Mr. Fernando López Miras, President of the Region, who emphasized: “The development of these projects will place us at the forefront in Spain in terms of environmental sustainability, energy security and independence, and the application of new technologies to obtain biofuels. This is a clear example of a circular economy, where waste is turned into useful resources.”