We are proud to announce the commissioning of two new plants in Spain, bringing the total number of Cycle0 operational assets to seven. This announcement demonstrates progress towards our stated goal of building, owning and operating up to 30 biomethane plants in Spain, based on a commitment to invest €200 million in renewable natural gas production in Spain.
The two new plants are in Manlleu, Barcelona, and Artajona, Navarra, and each use cattle waste provided from the farms where they are located to produce up to 120 Nm3 per hour, or 15 GWh per year, of biomethane, a renewable natural gas.
Using innovative technology manufactured by FNX, a Cycle0 group company, the biogas will be upgraded to biomethane and injected into the gas network via a virtual pipeline at an injection point also belonging to the Cycle0 group, contributing to the decarbonisation of gas production in Spain.
The project has been carried out in close collaboration with the farmers from the outset, adding value to their waste, helping to solve the problem of environmental management and ensuring a long-term contribution. The new plants also help to generate a new economy with long-term local jobs.
By adding additional renewable natural gas to the Spanish gas network, these two new plants contribute to reducing the gap between current production and the Ruta del Biogás (Biogas Roadmap) target of supplying a minimum of 20 TWh of renewable gas production by 2030.
In addition to these two new plants, Cycle0 already has four plants in operation in Spain, two in Lleida (Catalonia), two industrial waste-to-energy plants in Castilla-La Mancha and Galicia, and the first private connection point to the Spanish gas network.
FNX is a wholly owned subsidiary based in Artea, in the Basque Country, where it employs around 50 workers in manufacturing and engineering positions for upgrading and liquefaction equipment, making Cycle0 a vertically integrated group.
Earlier this year, the company announced investment plans in Spain that included:
- Construction of up to 30 small and medium-sized biogas plants using proprietary upgrading and liquefaction technology to recover waste and convert biogas into biomethane. The plants will have a combined production capacity equivalent to 800 GWh, enough to meet the gas needs of around 123,000 Spanish households.
- Renewable natural gas production from agri-food and industrial waste, which will be upgraded for injection into the Spanish gas network or liquefied for use in transport. The plants will be in regions throughout Spain.
- Additional injection points in the gas network to inject the purified biomethane directly into the Spanish gas network, contributing to the decarbonisation.
Referring to the announcement, CEO Laurence Molke said: “As one of the few fully financed developers, owners and operators of biomethane plants, Cycle0 is uniquely positioned to drive the supply of renewable gas in Spain. These two new plants are further proof of our commitment to the Spanish market and our ability to deliver on our investment pledges.”
Commenting on the commissioning of the two additional plants, FNX Managing Director Jordi Berengué said: “Delivering fully operational biogas plants requires both a commitment to delivery and the support of the local community. We are proud to have worked closely with our stakeholder communities in Manlleu and Artajona, and we thank them for their trust.”