Extremadura biometane expansion faces investment surge and local opposition

In Extremadura, Spain, biometane – a renewable gas produced from agricultural, livestock and agro‑industrial residues – is moving from obscurity to a major economic and environmental debate. The regional government reported 18 pending dossiers for large‑scale plants across 14 municipalities as of June 2025, including sites in Oliva de Plasencia, Villanueva de la Serena and Mérida. Industry groups estimate a potential 164 installations capable of generating 12.7 TWh per year, enough to meet regional gas demand and allow exports.

While companies are attracted by the market, local citizen platforms have protested, warning of the impact of such large facilities. The Spanish Gas Association (Sedigas) notes around 20 connection requests, a figure that may differ from the Junta’s environmental procedure counts. The debate also clarifies the distinction between biogas and biometane, the latter being refined to a methane concentration comparable to natural gas for injection into the gas grid.