Naturgy connects first biomethane plant in Navarre to gas grid

Spanish utility Naturgy Energy Group SA announced that it has connected the first biomethane plant in Navarre, northern Spain, to its gas distribution network through its subsidiary Nedgia.

The facility, developed by local biogas producer E-Cogeneración Cabanillas, will inject up to 22 GWh of renewable gas annually into the Nedgia network — enough to supply around 4,000 households. According to Naturgy, this is the twelfth biomethane plant it has linked to its network in Spain. The project expands a biogas cogeneration plant that began operations in 2011. It is designed to process agricultural and agri-food waste, mainly pig slurry, into biomethane. Spain’s Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE) provided partial funding for the upgrade. With an injection capacity of 320 normal cubic metres per hour (Nm³/h), the plant will also make use of the digestate generated during production, reducing dependence on synthetic fertilisers.

Nedgia now operates 12 biomethane injection points nationwide, with a combined capacity of 328 GWh per year, and has 74 more projects under development. In Navarre alone, the company is progressing seven additional schemes that could collectively deliver up to 400 GWh annually.