The small town of Jambrina in Zamora has become one of the symbols of neighborhood rejection of biogas plants In the rural areas of Castile and León, the streets of the town and its surroundings have once again been filled with banners and slogans against the planned projects in the region.
The protest, promoted by the association “Biogas, Not Like This – Jambrina Fights”This reflects a discontent that now extends beyond the purely local. Increasingly, residents of nearby towns are joining the protests. mobilizations that seek to stop or redirect the implementation of these facilities and demand clear planning by the administrations.
A hundred people take to the streets in Jambrina
At the last meeting, held on Saturday, April 4, they gathered in Jambrina around one hundred people from different municipalities from the area. The turnout, not insignificant for a region with a dispersed population, highlighted the growing concern about the future of biogas projects.
Residents of [location] responded to the platform's call. Jambrina, Santa Clara de Avedillo, Peleas de Abajo and other nearby townsThey want to make it clear that the debate does not only affect the municipality where the plants would be located, but the entire rural environment that could be affected by their activity.
During the rally, slogans against the implementation of new biogas plants without clear and agreed-upon planningas well as messages defending the land, health, and way of life in the villages. The banners and signs made by the residents themselves summarized this sentiment of “biogas, not like this.”
The organizers insist that They are not opposed in principle to renewable energies, but consider that Current projects do not meet the real needs of the region and could generate environmental impacts, odors, increased heavy traffic or conflicts with other agricultural and livestock activities.
Lack of a regional biogas plan in Castile and León
One of the most repeated messages by the organizing association is the absence of a regional biogas plan in Castile and LeónResidents complain that, to this day, there is no clear roadmap outlining where, how, and according to what criteria these facilities should be implemented in the autonomous community.
For the group, this lack opens the door to a proliferation of projects processed on a case-by-case basisWithout a comprehensive vision and without sufficiently considering the carrying capacity of each territory, they fear that a model will become entrenched that prioritizes corporate interests over the specific needs of the affected communities.
From “Biogas, Not Like This – Jambrina Struggle” there is a demand for the development of a Regional biogas plan that establishes criteria for territorial planning, sustainability and balanceIn his opinion, only with clear planning can the concentration of facilities be avoided in regions with small populations but abundant agricultural and livestock land.
The platform insists that this plan should incorporate the real participation of the municipalities involvedas well as detailed environmental and social studies that transparently assess the benefits and risks of each project. They believe that this lack of clear rules is fueling social conflict in the province of Zamora.
A conflict that transcends Jambrina and extends throughout the region
The demonstration held in Jambrina confirms that the rejection of biogas plants is already marked regional characterFar from being limited to the residents of a single municipality, the discontent has spread to nearby towns that also feel affected by the future of these facilities.
Residents of Santa Clara de Avedillo, Peleas de Abajo and other small rural towns They have been adding their support to the protests, actively participating in ralliesInformational assemblies and public actions. Many of them share similar concerns: the potential impact on quality of life, the landscape, water, air, and traditional economic activities.
The organizing association emphasizes that Opposition is not an isolated or one-off issue.He asserts that what is at stake is the energy and environmental development model for a large part of the rural environment, in a context where renewable energy projects are multiplying, from biogas plants to photovoltaic or wind farms.
This local conflict is also part of a broader debate at the level of Spain and Europe on how to reconcile the It is committed to renewable energy while protecting the rural environment.In this context, many residents are demanding that towns not become mere sacrifice zones where infrastructure is located without a clear benefit for the resident population.
Petition to the Peleas de Abajo City Council and institutional pressure
One of the most sensitive points in this crisis is the relationship with the Peleas de Abajo Town HallThe municipality is directly affected by some of the biogas plant projects currently under consideration. The association “Biogás, Así No – Jambrina Lucha” has publicly reiterated its appeal to the municipal corporation.
The protesters are demanding that the Peleas de Abajo council Reconsider your position and open a genuine listening process both with their own neighbors and with the surrounding towns. They believe that municipal decisions regarding these types of facilities cannot be made behind the backs of the citizens or without transparent dialogue.
During the rally in Jambrina, the need for Local, provincial, and regional institutions should take note of the social rejection expressed in the streets.According to the organizers, the increase in protests in the province of Zamora is a clear sign that the current model for implementing biogas plants generates distrust.
The platform also emphasizes that the conflict will not be resolved solely with minor technical adjustments. In their view, A change of institutional approach is essential, which involves prioritizing community participation, access to information and the search for alternatives that better suit the characteristics of the rural environment of Zamora.
The neighborhood movement does not stop: social, administrative and judicial avenues
Far from considering the matter closed, the association “Biogas, Not Like This – Jambrina Lucha” has made it clear that The mobilizations will continue over time.Their spokespeople say they will continue to hold rallies, information meetings, and public events to keep the debate alive in the region.
In addition to street action, the collective is exploring different administrative and judicial avenues to try to halt or redirect ongoing biogas projects. Among the measures they are considering are filing objections, appeals, and other legal tools provided for in the regulations.
The strategy involves combining social pressure with the use of institutional channels, in order to demand a more transparent and guaranteed processTo this end, the platform maintains contacts with other associations and experts who can provide technical and legal support.
The mobilized residents emphasize that their objective is not to indiscriminately block any energy initiative, but to achieve biogas management in accordance with the needs of the territory and with the protection of the rural environment. In this sense, they do not rule out supporting alternative models if they are designed with local participation, on a smaller scale, and with solid environmental guarantees.
The case of Jambrina and its surrounding area reflects how, in the midst of the energy transition, The people demand to have their own voice in the decisions that affect their future. The open conflict surrounding the biogas plants has served to articulate a neighborhood movement that, for now, does not seem willing to lower its guard and will continue to raise its demands on all available fronts.
