Spain-headed multi-energy major Repsol S.A. is entering the biomethane market with an agreement to take a 40 percent shareholding in compatriot biogas project developer Genia Bioenergy. This alliance allows Repsol to add significant human and technical capabilities to position itself early in this growing sector.
Biomethane aka renewable natural gas (RNG) is considered strategic by the European Union – which has set itself an ambition to increase its production eightfold by 2030 compared to that recorded in 2022 – in its RePower EU program.
The Spanish Gas Association (Sedigas) estimates that biomethane could account for almost half of Spain’s natural gas consumption.
The agreement between Repsol and Genia Bioenergy includes 19 of its biomethane plants, which are under development. In addition, there are 11 other projects in an early stage of development.
Repsol will purchase all the gas produced by these projects, which will also form a unique platform for creating agro-industrial ecosystems capable of boosting local economies and offering solutions for the valorization of their waste.
In addition to its use as a substitute for conventional fossil gas, RNG has other industrial applications, such as in the production of renewable fuels and green hydrogen or the manufacture of chemical products, reducing greenhouse gases (GHG).
This agreement is an important step forward in our strategy to take advantage of material that would otherwise be wasted and transform it into fuels for the home, industry, and mobility. Genia Bioenergy’s experience, talent, and assets will allow us to position ourselves as an integrated player in the entire biomethane value chain, said Juan Abascal, Executive Managing Director of Industrial Transformation and Circular Economy at Repsol.
Complete RNG value chain
The emerging biomethane industry in Spain and Portugal contributes to solving the problem that organic waste currently represents for administrations since it takes advantage of waste that would otherwise generate emissions into the atmosphere as it degrades in landfills.
It also represents an opportunity to generate economic activity in rural areas.
Genia Bioenergy is the only Spanish company that integrates the entire biogas and biomethane value chain, from the development of technologies and solutions to the engineering, construction, and biological technical operation of the projects, applying technologies and innovation for the creation of new value models that allow the integration of all the players in the production chain and waste management for the production of renewable gases and resources in the long term.
The development of biomethane plants advances Spain’s goal of decarbonization of the economy, reduces its energy dependence on foreign countries, and provides a sustainable response to European guidelines on waste management. It also means the creation of qualified jobs and the boosting of economic ecosystems around waste, especially in rural environments, said Gabriel Butler, CEO of Genia Bioenergy.
