Hunosa will transform the La Pereda thermal power plant into a biomass power plant

Hunosa has been awarded 50 MW for the exploitation of a biomass plant in the auction called by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITECO) to grant the Renewable Energy Economic Regime (REER) . The transformation of the La Pereda thermal power plant into a biomass power plant responds to the objectives of consolidating the viability of the company, contributing to a clean and sustainable economy and structuring its reference territory, with a clear commitment to decarbonization.

The remuneration regime obtained guarantees the continuity of La Pereda for at least 20 years and guarantees the maintenance of employment at the facility itself , also generating new jobs by promoting the activity that will lead to the development of the forest biomass sector. It will also allow new CO2 capture and heat network projects to be undertaken around this facility.

The La Pereda transformation plan responds to Hunosa's commitment to a fair transition towards a decarbonized economy and was approved in December 2020 by its Board of Directors with a triple objective: ensure the profitability of the plant and Hunosa, contribute to the decarbonization of the economy and circular economy, and favor the structuring of the regions affected by the closure of mining through the maintenance and creation of employment.

Since then, the project has passed all environmental procedures . Last May, the Environmental Affairs Commission (Cama) issued the mandatory favorable environmental impact report and the Department of Autonomous Administration, Environment and Climate Change, with a resolution of June 21, 2022, formulated the environmental impact declaration which determines “the viability, for environmental purposes, of carrying out the La Pereda Thermal Power Plant Transformation Project.”

The use of biomass as fuel is part of the ecological transition process , betting on a clean economy, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the improvement of energy efficiency and the promotion of the generation of electrical energy from of renewable energy sources. Furthermore, this project aims to help the necessary promotion of forest management , a pending issue in an important part of the Asturian mountains.

Hunosa's plan affects the fair transition to a decarbonized economy , favoring the structuring of the regions affected by the closure of mining through the maintenance and creation of employment. The socioeconomic impact of the new Pereda project will allow the maintenance of current jobs and the creation of at least 200 new jobs by companies dedicated to forest management and biomass treatment .

La Pereda is a circulating fluid bed thermoelectric plant, with a power of 50 MW . It was put into operation in 1994, within the policy of diversification and enhancement of Hunosa's knowledge and natural resources.