Cycle0 opens two biomethane plants in Spain

London based Cycle0 has commissioned two new biomethane or biogas plants in Spain, bringing the total number of Cycle0 operational assets to seven.

The two new plants are in Manlleu, Barcelona, and Artajona, Navarra, and each use cattle waste provided from the farms where they are located to produce up to 120 Nm3 per hour, or 15 GWh per year, of biomethane, a renewable natural gas.

This announcement demonstrates progress towards stated goal of Cycle0 of building, owning and operating up to 30 biomethane plants in Spain, based on a commitment to invest €200 million in renewable natural gas production in Spain.

Using innovative technology manufactured by FNX, a Cycle0 group company, the biogas will be upgraded to biomethane and injected into the gas network via a virtual pipeline at an injection point also belonging to the Cycle0 group, contributing to the decarbonisation of gas production in Spain.

The project has been carried out in close collaboration with the farmers from the outset, adding value to their waste, helping to solve the problem of environmental management and ensuring a long-term contribution. The new plants also help to generate a new economy with long-term local jobs.

By adding additional renewable natural gas to the Spanish gas network, these two new plants contribute to reducing the gap between current production and the Ruta del Biogás (Biogas Roadmap) target of supplying a minimum of 20 TWh of renewable gas production by 2030.

In addition to these two new plants, Cycle0 already has four plants in operation in Spain, two in Lleida (Catalonia), two industrial waste-to-energy plants in Castilla-La Mancha and Galicia, and the first private connection point to the Spanish gas network.

FNX is a wholly owned subsidiary based in Artea, in the Basque Country, where it employs around 50 workers in manufacturing and engineering positions for upgrading and liquefaction equipment, making Cycle0 a vertically integrated group.

Cycle0 CEO Laurence Molke said, “These two new plants are further proof of our commitment to the Spanish market and our ability to deliver on our investment pledges.”

Earlier this year, the company announced investment plans in Spain that included construction of up to 30 small and medium-sized biogas plants. It also looks at renewable natural gas production from agri-food and industrial waste, which will be upgraded for injection into the Spanish gas network or liquefied for use in transport.