Domestic biomass could increase its electricity production by 23%

Biomass technologies in Spain are one of the main means we have to combine the renewable energy targets for 2020 and 2030 with the necessary system manageability. The 90 MW of biomass capacity that will be under construction next month could be complemented by additional projects, since Spain has a potential of at least 8,000 megawatts that could provide fully manageable renewable electricity if specific auctions were held. Furthermore, the 1,038 MW already installed in our country could increase their contribution if the regulatory limitation of 6,500 hours were eliminated, which would represent a 23% increase in generation. The Spanish biomass sector is confident that the new Climate Change and Energy Transition Law will consider electricity generation using these technologies as one of the main solutions for achieving a renewable and manageable energy mix.

The characteristics of biomass, which combines the properties of renewable energies with the controllability of a thermal power plant, are fundamental to increasing the percentage of renewables in our electricity mix. Despite these advantages, since 200 MW were awarded in the January 2016 auction, no further auctions specifically for this technology have been held.

The first projects from the auction are under construction.
On the positive side, the implementation of the projects awarded in 2016 has already begun. Next month, 90 MW will be under construction, representing 45% of the total auctioned capacity. On the other hand, these new projects, like the more than 1,038 MW already installed, have a limited contribution due to legal restrictions.

A time limit that restricts development.
Currently, regulated remuneration for electricity generation using solid biomass, biogas, and the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (OFMSW) is limited to 6,500 operating hours per year. These technologies can operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, potentially exceeding 8,000 hours annually, providing stability, reliability, and manageability without compromising renewable energy and emissions reduction targets. Considering 8,000 hours of annual facility use would represent a 23% increase compared to the current limitation. “Faced with a scenario of thermal power plant closures, we believe that the Ministry of Energy should reconsider the limitation of electricity generation hours with the right to receive operating remuneration, since our facilities have the capacity to contribute to manageability and stability in the system, in addition to being able to produce at peak times just like thermal plants do,” declared Jordi Aguiló, president of APPA Biomasa.

Without the current regulatory limit, electricity production from biomass technologies could increase by nearly 23% year-on-year, contributing to improving our renewable energy share with existing but underutilized facilities. “We must demand consistency from the Ministry. If we want a renewable and manageable energy mix, biomass must play a more prominent role. We cannot claim that renewables are not manageable simply because renewable technologies that can provide stability and peak power generation are being deliberately ignored. In this sense, biomass offers the same advantages as traditional power plants but using a local and renewable resource,” Aguiló argued.

Untapped Potential:
Spain's national energy self-sufficiency from biomass sources is only 28 days, far from Sweden's 132 days, placing it 23rd (out of 31) in the European ranking eur This position is incomprehensible given Spain's magnificent potential and the multitude of available resources. Spain boasts significant agricultural and forestry resources, livestock (with the largest pig population in Eur ), and renewable waste (waste present in every municipality and city in Spain).

This important, currently underutilized resource could complement less manageable technologies like solar and wind power, guaranteeing Spain's energy transition without resorting to fossil fuels that compromise our decarbonization and renewable energy goals. “Biomass doesn't need to be imported; we have it in our fields and forests, as a byproduct of our agribusinesses, and it's present in our landfills. Its use generates employment and offers development opportunities to the regions. We cannot allow the energy deficit to be equivalent to 85% of our total trade deficit when we fail to take advantage of these enormous resources. Investing in biomass is investing in Spain,” concluded the president of APPA Biomasa.