Assessment of Biomethane Production Potential in Spain: A Regional Analysis of Agricultural Residues, Municipal Waste, and Wastewater Sludge for 2030 and 2050

Aurora López-Aguilera, Carlos Morales-Polo (), Javier Victoria-Rodríguez and María del Mar Cledera-Castro
Additional contact information
Aurora López-Aguilera: Research Group on Emerging Pollutants and Resource Recovery (gCEV), Comillas Pontifical University, 28015 Madrid, Spain
Carlos Morales-Polo: Research Group on Emerging Pollutants and Resource Recovery (gCEV), Comillas Pontifical University, 28015 Madrid, Spain
Javier Victoria-Rodríguez: Research Group on Emerging Pollutants and Resource Recovery (gCEV), Comillas Pontifical University, 28015 Madrid, Spain
María del Mar Cledera-Castro: Institute for Research in Technology (IIT), Comillas Pontifical University, 28015 Madrid, Spain

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 10, 1-15

Abstract: This study evaluates Spain’s biomethane production potential for 2030 and 2050, focusing on agricultural residues, livestock manure, municipal solid waste (MSW), and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) sludge. The research aims to provide a regional analysis based on historical data on livestock populations, cultivated land, waste availability, and demographic projections. Using utilization coefficients and technological assumptions derived from existing biogas infrastructure, the study estimates that Spain could generate 9.71 TWh of biomethane by 2030, slightly below the national target of 10.41 TWh. By 2050, agricultural and livestock residues are expected to contribute 30.04 TWh, accounting for nearly 80% of total biomethane production, while the relative share of MSW and WWTP sludge will decrease. Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Castilla y León emerge as key contributors due to their extensive agricultural and livestock sectors. Catalonia and Madrid maintain significant roles driven by urban waste generation. The findings underscore the need for infrastructure expansion, particularly enhancing biomethane injection facilities into the natural gas grid, alongside financial incentives to support industry growth. This study highlights the role of biomethane in Spain’s renewable energy sector, emphasizing its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, optimize organic waste utilization, and contribute to a sustainable energy transition.

Keywords: biomethane; anaerobic digestion; circular economy; regional analysis; agricultural residues; wastewater sludge; municipal solid waste (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/10/4742/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/10/4742/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:10:p:4742-:d:1661145

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().