Edison Next Aims to Position Spain at the Forefront of the Global Biomethane Revolution

Spain is uniquely positioned to become a global leader in the production and use of biomethane, a renewable gas derived from organic waste. Advancing in this area would not only respond to the urgent need to decarbonize industrial and business activities and reduce energy dependence, but also boost rural development and foster a more sustainable and autonomous economy.

At Edison Next, we are committed to innovation and sustainability, and we are working to lead this movement through projects that are transforming Spain’s energy landscape.

Thanks to its abundant agricultural land, forests, agro-industrial, urban, and household waste, Spain has a vast supply of resources that can be used to produce biomethane. This raw material—available throughout the country—offers a unique opportunity to develop a robust and decentralized biomethane industry. Moreover, by harnessing this waste, we not only generate clean energy but also reduce pollution and promote more efficient waste management. This avoids the release of methane from organic decomposition—a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than CO₂—into the atmosphere.

In today’s European context, organic waste treatment is no longer just a necessity but also an opportunity. It allows for the stabilization of waste while producing clean, renewable energy in the form of biogas—thereby advancing sustainable management and the circular economy model.

This process maximizes reuse and recycling of high-pollution-potential waste, such as livestock or agro-industrial residues, producing high-value biofertilizer and renewable gas with a low or even negative CO₂ footprint.

Biogas—mainly composed of methane and carbon dioxide in varying ratios depending on the source—can be used as a renewable alternative to natural gas. It can power boilers, cogeneration systems, or be purified (upgraded) to remove CO₂ and impurities, resulting in high-quality biomethane suitable for decarbonizing heavy road and maritime transport—without requiring new technologies or costly investments.

Currently, several biogas upgrading technologies are available, and the choice depends on the biogas characteristics and the final use of the biomethane. According to the latest data, 55% of biomethane plants use membrane technology, reflecting widespread adoption thanks to recent improvements in both CAPEX and OPEX.

At Edison Next, we are developing multiple innovative projects focused on efficiently transforming waste into high-quality biomethane. Using anaerobic digestion technology, which breaks down organic matter in the absence of oxygen, we are producing biomethane with a purity comparable to conventional natural gas. This renewable gas is highly versatile, suitable for heating, cooling, transport, and electricity generation.

One clear example is our work on Nature Biogás, where Edison Next is building one of Spain’s first biomethane plants. With an investment of over €10 million, the plant will generate 30,000 MWh of BioLNG annually, transforming livestock waste into biofuel. This project not only supports the decarbonization of industry and transport in Asturias, but also serves as a national benchmark, showcasing the benefits of innovative energy solutions.

Implementing biomethane projects has a positive environmental impact, but also delivers significant economic benefits. By converting organic waste into energy, companies can eliminate disposal costs and reduce dependence on fossil fuels through self-consumption, leading to lower energy bills.

In addition, building a strong biomethane infrastructure in Spain could be part of the solution to rural depopulation. Biomethane, produced from local waste, boosts economic activity in rural communities—through waste management and plant operation—thus creating new income streams and employment in regions suffering from population decline and limited opportunities.

At Edison Next, our vision is clear: Spain has the potential to lead the world in biomethane production, and we are committed to making that vision a reality. Through strategic investment and the implementation of innovative solutions and projects, we are working to build a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for all.