National biomass could increase its electricity production by 23%

Biomass technologies in Spain are one of the main means we have to combine the renewable objectives for 2020 and 2030 with the necessary manageability of the system. The 90 MW of biomass that will already be under construction next month could be complemented with 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 installed in our country could increase its contribution if the regulatory limitation of 6,500 hours were eliminated, which would mean an increase of 23% in generation. The Spanish biomass sector trusts that the new Climate Change and Energy Transition Law contemplates electricity generation through these technologies as one of the main solutions to achieve a renewable and manageable mix.

The characteristics of biomass, which combines the properties of renewable energies with the regulation capacity of a thermal power plant, are fundamental to being able to increase the percentage of renewables in our electrical mix. Despite these benefits, since 200 MW were awarded in the January 2016 auction, no specific auctions for this technology have been held again.

The first projects in the auction are under construction.
On the positive side, we must consider that the implementation of the projects that were awarded in 2016 has already begun. Next month, 90 MW will be under construction, which represents 45% of the total auctioned. . The other side of the coin is that these new projects, like the more than 1,038 MW already installed, have their contribution limited because they are limited by law.

An hourly limit that limits development
Currently, the regulated remuneration for electricity generation with solid biomass, biogas and the Organic Fraction of Urban Solid Waste (FORSU) is limited to 6,500 hours of operation per year, when it comes to certain technologies. that can operate 24 hours a day and 365 days a year and can exceed 8,000 hours per year, providing stability, firmness and manageability without compromising the renewable and emissions reduction objectives. Considering 8,000 hours of annual use of the facilities, we would be facing an increase of 23% compared to the current limitation. "Faced with a scenario of closure of thermal power plants, we understand that the Ministry of Energy should reconsider the limitation of hours of electricity generation with the right to receive remuneration for the operation, since our facilities have the capacity to provide manageability and stability in the system, in addition to to be able to produce at the top 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 around 23% from one year to the next, contributing to improving our percentage of renewables with facilities that are already built and underused. “We must demand coherence from the Ministry, if we want a renewable and manageable mix, biomass must have a greater role. We cannot say that renewables are not manageable because renewable technologies that can provide strength and generate cutting-edge energy are deliberately ignored. In this sense, biomass provides the same advantages as traditional plants but using a native and renewable resource,” defended Aguiló.

A potential to be exploited
The degree of national self-sufficiency from biomass sources is only 28 days, far from Sweden's 132 days, which places us in position 23 (out of 31) in the European ranking. This position cannot be understood if you contemplate the magnificent potential of Spain and think about the multitude of resources available. Spain has important agricultural and forestry resources, livestock (main pig population in Europe) and renewable waste (waste present in all municipalities and cities of Spain).

This important resource, currently untapped, could complement less manageable technologies such as solar and wind, guaranteeing the energy transition in Spain without resorting to fossil technologies that compromise our decarbonization and renewable objectives. “Biomass does not have to be imported, we have it in our fields and in our mountains, as a by-product of our agroindustries and it is 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 do not take advantage of these enormous resources. Betting on biomass is betting on Spain”, concluded the president of APPA Biomass.