Acciona and Extremadura agree to enhance biomass resources in the region

José Manuel Entrecanales, president of Acciona, and Guillermo Fernández Vara, president of the Government of Extremadura, have signed today a Protocol for the sustainable use of forest areas. This agreement is part of the green and circular economy strategy for Extremadura, promoted by the current government of the Community and represents the company's willingness to adhere to the protocol signed on August 21, 2017 by the Board and various Extremaduran entities.

This protocol is based on the “potential of regional forest wealth, the promotion of sustainable use of the natural values ​​of the Community, rural development based on the protection of nature and the possibilities of energy self-sufficiency thanks to the biomass surplus”. Furthermore, the commitment acquired today by both parties involves the defense “in the intelligent prevention of forest fires, in the tourist potential and other social uses” of the Extremaduran mountains.

The objective of the Protocol is to achieve a sustainable development model for Extremadura, preserve and improve environmental quality and biodiversity in the region, which has 70% of forest area, frequently threatened by the risk of fires.

In Extremadura, this company currently has the 15 MW Miajadas biomass plant. Operational since 2010, it was the first in Europe prepared to use two types of raw materials (herbaceous and woody), which allows diversifying the fuel supply. Its average annual production is 128 GWh, equivalent to the demand of 40,000 homes, and it avoids the emission of 123,000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere annually.