The possible installation of a biogas macro plant in the municipality of LoporzanoLocated just a few kilometers from Huesca, the project has raised serious concerns among the local population. The project, promoted by the company Catalan Biogas, linked to investment funds of Banco Sabadell, has gone in a few weeks from being virtually unknown to becoming one of the most delicate issues on the local agenda.
While the developer and some institutions highlight the plant's supposed role in the livestock waste management and renewable energy generationA large part of the residents of Loporzano, Tierz, and Quicena speak frankly of a project that is "unacceptable" due to its scale and consequences. Amid accusations of greenwashing, references to an "extractive" model, and complaints about the lack of information, the social and political tension surrounding this massive biogas plant seems far from subsiding.
A large-capacity private project just a stone's throw from Huesca
The plan proposes the construction of a biogas plant on a private estate in Loporzanoin the immediate vicinity of the city of Huesca. According to information provided by citizen groups and the Aragonese Institute for Environmental Management (INAGA), the facility would be designed to process up to 95.000 tons per year of slurry and other organic waste, including by-products of animal origin.
The residents emphasize that these figures place the initiative in the category of industrial macro-plantThis is far removed from the image of a small, local facility that, in his opinion, the company is trying to project. The project itself would be presented as solution for surplus manure and slurry within a radius of about 20 kilometers, with the capacity to serve approximately 30% of the livestock farms in the area, according to the mayor of Loporzano.
The location is one of the most controversial elements. The plant is projected less than 5 kilometers from Huesca and very close to various populated areas and sites of heritage value. Groups opposed to the project believe that these distances They deny the idea of a facility "far removed" from sensitive areas and they warn that any ailment would be felt over a wide area.
The Loporzano Town Hall emphasizes that this is a strictly private project, both in relation to the promoting company and the ownership of the land, and it is emphasized that the environmental processing is not in the hands of the council, but of INAGA, which must evaluate the file and set the next administrative steps.
Processing at INAGA and criticism for lack of transparency
One of the most frequent complaints from neighborhood associations is the lack of clear and accessible information about the large-scale plant. They point out that the project He first entered the Loporzano Town Hall in February 2025 and that since November it has been in the hands of INAGA, without the file being freely available for public consultation to this day.
The feeling of having been “the last to know” has been a key trigger for social unrest. Associations and residents of Loporzano, Tierz and Quicena They claim that a institutional communication gapBoth the city council and the developer are demanding a detailed explanation of the deadlines, the technical design of the plant, and its potential impacts.
In this context, the groups have requested in writing to be recognized as interested party in the environmental procedureThis would allow them to access the documentation submitted by the company and formulate more substantiated objections. Several neighborhood spokespeople maintain that without this information, it is impossible to rigorously assess the scope of the project and its risks.
Another point of contention is the type of environmental assessment applicable. Following the regulatory changes approved in Aragon, A plant of this type could qualify for a simplified environmental procedureOpponents believe this approach is too lenient for a facility of this size and demand a full, standard evaluation, with detailed studies and a broad and comprehensive public consultation period.
Short distances to villages, heritage sites and the city of Huesca
The distance map used by the citizens' movement has become one of its main argumentative weapons. According to their data, the The large plant would be located less than 700 meters from the Tierz Trenches, about 1,8 kilometers from the town center of Tierz, 2,75 from Loporzano and Quicena, just 2,43 kilometers from Montearagón Castle, a first-rate Cultural Heritage Site in the area.
Furthermore, towns like Ola and Siétamo are located a little over 3,5 kilometers away.And Huesca itself—with over 50.000 inhabitants—is less than 5 kilometers away as the crow flies. For spokespeople of the neighborhood movement, these facts preclude any discussion of the project as isolated or disconnected from the surrounding urban and rural reality.
Groups and platforms insist that the area is in the middle of residential expansionWith housing developments already underway or planned in both Tierz and Quicena, including a 200-unit social housing project promoted by the Government of Aragon, they fear the plant will have long-term consequences. the future development of these municipalities and the quality of life of the new residents.
The residents believe that, instead of taking advantage of the area's potential for development linked to the nature tourism, heritage and landscape qualityThe large-scale plant would introduce a risk and degradation factor that could damage its image for decades.
Health risks, environmental problems and odor issues
The reports and statements prepared by the neighborhood platforms underline the potential impact of the mega-plant on the public health and the environmentThe anaerobic digestion process of slurries and organic waste generates gases such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfidewhich, in the event of leaks or mismanagement, can pose risks to both people and wildlife.
In addition to the potential toxicity of some compounds, residents fear the appearance of persistent bad odors that could spread to nearby populated areas, with particular concern for Tierz, located in a position that, they point out, coincides with the direction of the prevailing winds at certain times of the year. The fear of having to living with recurring episodes of stench It is one of the elements that generates the most outrage on the street.
At the same time, there are warnings about the risk of Nitrate contamination of aquifers in a basin already classified as particularly vulnerable, such as that of the Flumen River. The management of the digestate—the residue resulting from the biogas process—and the associated ponds raises concerns about possible seepage into the subsoil and about the actual control that will be exercised over these discharges.
The management of animal by-products (ABP) This is another cause for concern. The groups fear a increased biological risk, proliferation of insects and rodents and difficulties in ensuring that the waste arrives properly controlled and is treated with all necessary safeguards. The platforms insist that, although European and Spanish regulations are stringent in this area, the scale of the project requires particularly strict oversight.
The increase of heavy truck trafficThe construction, both on highways and local roads, completes the picture of impacts noted by residents. These include potential road safety problems, increased noise, dust and combustion gas emissions, and added pressure on roads that are sometimes already heavily trafficked.
An open debate on the energy model and "greenwashing"
Beyond the purely technical aspects, the conflict has brought to the table a profound discussion about the energy and waste management model that is desired for the territory. Critical platforms accuse the developer of practicing greenwashingThat is, to take refuge in the discourse of green energy to justify an activity that, in their opinion, responds above all to a extractive industrial model.
The neighbors maintain that Loporzano already has its own livestock and organic waste under control And that the plant doesn't respond to a genuine local demand, but rather to the need to concentrate large volumes of waste from a much wider area to make the mega-facility profitable. Hence their open talk of transforming the municipality into a “industrial landfill at the service of investment funds”.
Several voices also recall the background of other biogas plants in AragonSuch as those planned in the 1990s in Altorricón and Zaidín, which ended up being closed and facing European sanctions for irregularities in their operation. In that case, it was reported that diesel fuel was being burned to produce electricity instead of actually using the slurry as the main raw material.
For the project's detractors, these examples illustrate the risk that the Loporzano mega-plant will end up prioritizing the financial return for investors above environmental objectives. Hence their insistence on the need for a exhaustive and independent control and a thoughtful debate about the type of facilities that should be allowed in such a sensitive environment.
Landscape impact and threat to Montearagón Castle
El Montearagon CastleThe area, a historical and scenic landmark of the Hoya de Huesca region, has also become a symbol of opposition to the mega-plant. The proximity of the facility—approximately 2,4 kilometers according to published data—has led groups to warn of a visual and landscape impact that they describe as irreversible.
Heritage advocates argue that the castle's surroundings are not only a monumental site, but also a cultural landscape which forms part of the area's identity. They fear that the presence of large industrial structures, ponds, reservoirs, and chimneys will substantially alter the perception of the whole, affecting both local residents and visitors.
For heritage groups, the value of Montearagón Castle It is not measured solely in meters or kilometersThey argue that their protection goes beyond ensuring that the installation is at a certain legal distance and that the visual integrity of the horizon and the landscape that surrounds it, especially in a region that aspires to strengthen its tourist appeal.
In their statements, the neighborhood movements remind everyone that the historical heritage is neither transferable nor compensableThey insist that, once the image of the surroundings has been altered, it is almost impossible to reverse the situation and that the potential economic benefits of the mega-plant cannot justify the loss of a first-rate cultural asset.
Energy consumption, waste heat and effect on the environment
Another point that generates misgivings is the energy consumption of the macroplant and the heat that its continuous operation would generate. According to documents referenced by the platforms, the installation would require approximately 1 MWh (1.000 kWh) of energy to heat the material in the digesters and accelerate fermentation, a figure that compares with the simultaneous consumption of between 400 and 500 homes equipped with heat pumps in winter.
This volume of energy raises several questions for the opposition. On the one hand, they question the climate coherence of a project that, even while generating biogas, requires a high energy input to remain operational. Furthermore, they warn that the excess heat would not be utilized significantly and would It would release the environment through the hot digestate and the external ponds.
The groups insist that this thermal impact It is not being explained sufficiently, and they are calling for a detailed analysis of its effects on the local microclimate, soils, and fauna. Although these changes may seem minor compared to other, more visible impacts, the platforms demand that all variables are put on the table before making a final decision.
In a European context where there is strong promotion of energy efficiency and the circular economyThe debate over whether the large-scale plant aligns with the spirit of EU climate policies has also crept into the discussions. For critical groups, simply classifying biogas as renewable is insufficient if the plant's overall operation proves to be energy-intensive in practice.
Raptor corridor and nature tourism at risk
La biodiversity This is another pillar of social opposition to the project. The chosen area is located in a key air corridor connecting the Sierra de Guara with Los Monegrosused daily by numerous birds of prey and other protected species. The Flumen Valley, the area around Salto de Roldán, Tierz, Monflorite, and the Piracés mountain range form a mosaic of habitats of great ecological value.
Among the species that frequent this corridor are the bearded vulture, golden eagle, Egyptian vulture, red kite and peregrine falconas well as colonies of vultures and other carrion-eating birds. The platforms fear that the implementation of a large-scale biogas plant, with its associated infrastructure, could alter flight paths, increase the risk of collision and degrade a space that has so far remained relatively well preserved.
The impact would not be limited to wildlife. In recent years, the area around Huesca has seen a growth in... nature tourism and birdwatching (birding) increasingly specialized. Guides, rural accommodations and small ecotourism businesses have found a market niche linked precisely to the environmental quality of the area and the possibility of spotting emblematic species.
The residents argue that the mega-plant could weaken this economic modelwhich they consider more compatible with preserving the territory. They fear that the noise, traffic, and the very visual presence of the facility will scare away some of the wildlife and detract from the appeal of the trails and viewpoints that, currently, are a draw for visitors from all over Spain and even from other European countries.
This angle of the debate connects with broader concerns in Europe, where the compatibility between the expansion of certain renewable energies and the conservation of biodiversity It is the subject of increasing debate. Neighborhood groups are demanding that, in case of doubt, priority be given to the protection of endangered species and the integrity of ecological corridors.
A growing and coordinated neighborhood movement with the Somontano region
Opposition to the mega-plant is not limited to a few spokespeople. After a large gathering held in JanuaryThe event, which involved more than 160 people, has given rise to a citizens' movement that brings together residents of Loporzano, Tierz, Quicena and other towns in the Hoya de HuescaUnder slogans such as "Our towns are not for sale. They must be defended," they have organized to gather information and put pressure on institutions.
The actions taken include a signature collection campaign —both on paper and through digital platforms like Change.org—, the creation of the Instagram channel @StopBiogasLoporzano to disseminate documents and news related to the project and a round of meetings with the municipalities involved.
The groups demand that Loporzano Town Hall that he does not sign the declaration of social interest for the mega-plant, considering that There is no neighborhood consensus Nor is there a solid justification of public benefit to support a facility of this size. In his view, the initiative primarily serves the economic interests of the company and its associated investment funds.
The movement has also been organized at the regional level, in coordination with the Stop Biogas Somontano platformwhich faces similar projects promoted by the same company in other parts of the province. This collaboration allows, they explain, sharing technical knowledge, legal experiences and social mobilization strategies.
Spokespeople assert that this struggle is not an isolated case, but rather the expression of a a model that is repeated in different rural territories and that, in his opinion, it threatens to turn entire regions into large waste receiving areas if a clear limit is not set by the competent authorities.
The vision of the Loporzano Town Council and the arguments in favor
Amidst the intense social protest, the Loporzano Town Hall has maintained a significantly different position. Its mayor, David SuelvesHe indicated that it is a private project that an external company wishes to locate in a land also private of the municipal area, and considers that an "unnecessary debate" is being generated before INAGA issues a formal resolution.
The councilor recalls that Six of the seven council members are in favor. to the large-scale plant and highlights the benefits that, in his opinion, it could bring to a small municipality: income from building permits, increase in IBI revenue and other taxes, as well as the fact that the The company would establish its headquarters in Loporzano., which would increase tax revenues for local coffers.
The city council insists that the plant would be fed primarily by manure and slurry from livestock farms located within a 20-kilometer radiusThe use of meat waste in the way some groups fear has been ruled out. The mayor argues that this would offer a useful service to the agricultural and livestock sector of the area, who would generally welcome the commissioning of the facility.
The local corporation also points out that the project has not been processed by the City Council, but rather It has been presented directly to INAGAThe municipal role would have been limited, for now, to issuing a favorable urban planning compatibility report, after verifying that the initiative complies with the conditions required by the current planning regulations.
As an additional argument, the mayor mentioned the visit organized by the company to a similar biogas plant in FranceIn this instance, he claims, no unpleasant odors or problems with coexistence with the surrounding area were observed. In his opinion, these types of facilities, when well managed, can function normally and contribute to the valorization of waste as well as the production of renewable energy.
An open conflict awaiting INAGA's pronouncement
With positions clearly opposed, the future of the Loporzano biogas plant will largely depend on administrative procedures. All eyes are now on the Aragonese Institute of Environmental Managementresponsible for analyzing the file, determining the type of environmental assessment applicable and, where appropriate, opening a formal period of public information where allegations can be submitted.
Neighborhood associations are demanding that this process be carried out with maximum transparency, technical rigor and real citizen participationThey hope that all aspects of the project will be examined: from the origin and exact nature of the waste to the digestate management plans, including emissions, noise, traffic, and the potential cumulative impact with other activities in the area.
In the coming weeks and months, the key will be how the public debate And what weight do institutions give to citizen claims and mobilizations? Meanwhile, the neighborhood movement will continue its campaigns of information, signatures and political pressure, and the Loporzano City Council will defend before its residents the suitability of a project that it considers strategic for the municipality.
In a context where Spain and Europe are strongly promoting renewable energies and the circular economyThe large biogas plant on the outskirts of Huesca has become a paradigmatic case of the tensions that can arise when large energy infrastructures approach inhabited areas, valuable natural spaces and heritage sites, forcing society to rethink where it draws the line between the ecological transition and the protection of its own territory.
