La Logrosán biomass plantThe biomass plant in the province of Cáceres has begun regularly supplying renewable electricity to the Spanish grid. It is a landmark facility in Spain's biomass sector, both for its size and for the impact it will have on the region and on emissions reduction.
Promoted and operated by ACCIONA Energía, this power plant represents a further step in the commitment to manageable renewable energiescapable of operating 24 hours a day and to complement wind and solar powerFurthermore, it reinforces Extremadura's role as a hub for green energy generation and as an example of how the energy transition can go hand in hand with rural development.
Technical characteristics of the Logrosán biomass plant
The power plant launched in Logrosán has a installed capacity of 50 megawatts (MW), which places it among the largest operating biomass plants in Spain. The company expects annual production to reach around 380 gigawatt hours (GWh)enough to cover the electricity consumption of tens of thousands of homes.
According to data provided by ACCIONA Energía, this generation will allow to avoid the emission of more than 187.000 tons of CO2 per yearThe magnitude of this reduction is equivalent to removing some 60.000 combustion vehicles from circulation or to the carbon absorption that thousands of trees spread across the territory would provide.
The operation of the installation relies on an estimated annual consumption of 275.000 metric tons of biomassIt is composed primarily of forestry waste: prunings, undergrowth, and other residues from agroforestry operations. This volume of renewable fuel is key to ensuring continuous and stable operation.
On the regulatory front, the plant was awarded in the third auction of the renewable energy economic regime Organized by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, this framework guarantees a stable price for electricity produced over a period of 20 years, providing certainty for both the developer and the associated supply chain.
Manageable biomass and electrical system stability
Biomass is considered a manageable and synchronous renewable energy sourcecapable of continuous operation and rapid response to peak demand. Unlike other renewable technologies whose performance depends on weather conditions, a biomass plant can schedule its production and contribute to the inertia and stability of the grid.
In the case of Logrosán, the facility's ability to operate practically year-round allows to support the balance of the electrical systemThis is especially relevant at times when other renewable energy sources, such as solar photovoltaics or wind power, are reducing their contribution. This flexibility is one of the reasons behind the growing interest in biomass in European energy planning.
The technology used integrates advanced systems of monitoring, digital control and predictive diagnosticsThese features help maximize boiler performance, reduce unexpected downtime, and optimize fuel use. Similarly, high-efficiency emissions reduction equipment has been incorporated to meet the strictest environmental standards in force in the European Union.
ACCIONA Energía has more than two decades of experience in biomass projectsFrom design and construction to operation and maintenance, including fuel supply management, this approach is supported by a network of established suppliers, in some cases already in their third generation, which facilitates the project's long-term continuity.
Forest management and fire prevention in the area
One of the less visible but most relevant effects of the Logrosán plant is its contribution to the active forest management of the surrounding area. The systematic collection of forest debris to feed the power plant significantly reduces the amount of combustible material accumulated in the countryside.
Removing pruning waste, scrubland, and forestry residues reduces the fuel load available in case of fireThis not only reduces the likelihood of a fire breaking out, but also limits its intensity and ferocity when it does occur, making firefighting efforts easier.
A large proportion of the jobs associated with biomass supply are focused precisely on these tasks. Around 200 people work directly in the valorization of pruning waste, undergrowth and forestry residues, a figure that the company itself compares to having some 200 "forest firefighters" operational all year round in preventive work.
This structure of continuous work in the territory contributes to to keep the mountains cleaner and tidierIt also promotes other uses of the natural environment, such as extensive livestock farming, controlled hunting, and rural tourism. Therefore, the plant not only generates energy but also encourages a more active and professional approach to environmental management.
Employment and economic revitalization in rural areas
The socioeconomic impact of the Logrosán biomass plant has been noticeable since the construction phase. During construction, jobs were created more than 400 jobsMany of them were occupied by staff from the region itself and from other areas of Extremadura, which provided a significant temporary boost to the local economy.
During the operational phase, the facility maintains around 30 direct jobs on staffThose responsible for the operation and maintenance of the plant. In addition, more than 900 self-employed individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises from the agricultural, forestry, and transport sectors participate in the biomass supply chain and other associated services.
Within this network of activities, a significant part corresponds to the logistics, collection, conditioning, and transport of fuel. This implies hiring of machinery, trucks, workshops, supplies and auxiliary services which are largely hired within the territory itself, generating a ripple effect on various economic sectors.
Estimates suggest that approximately One third of the revenue linked to the plant is returned directly to the surrounding area in the form of service contracts, local employment, and the purchase of supplies. In an area affected by depopulation and a lack of industrial alternatives, this injection of activity acts as a catalyst for economic growth.
Complementary projects and support for the local fabric
Beyond electricity generation, ACCIONA Energía has launched various parallel initiatives to strengthen the socio-economic fabric in the Logrosán area. These actions aim to leverage the project's synergies to support local cooperatives, livestock farmers, and suppliers.
Among the highlighted measures is a project aimed at revitalize the Del Campo San Mateo olive oil cooperativewhich aims to modernize its operations and improve its competitiveness. It has also promoted the installation of a photovoltaic self-consumption system in a farmers' cooperative, with the aim of lowering their energy bill and making their farm more sustainable.
The company has also established a line of financial aid for the acquisition of machinery This funding, provided by biomass suppliers, enables self-employed individuals and SMEs to invest in more efficient equipment for collecting and transporting forest materials. This financing contributes to professionalizing the value chain and improving safety and working conditions.
All these actions reinforce the idea of the plant as engine of long-term rural developmentBeyond the direct jobs at the power plant, the presence of a stable biomass buyer and a large energy facility creates opportunities to consolidate new economic activities in the surrounding area.
ACCIONA Energía's previous experience in biomass
The commitment to biomass in Logrosán is part of a ACCIONA Energía's extensive track record in this fieldThe company was a pioneer in southern Europe with the commissioning of the 30 MW biomass plant in Sangüesa in the early 2000s, followed by the facilities in Briviesca (16 MW) and Miajadas (15 MW).
These previous experiences have allowed us to accumulate knowledge throughout the entire life cycle of biomass power plants, from project definition and engineering to the daily operations and supply chain managementThe robustness of the supplier network and the progressive incorporation of control and optimization technologies have been key to consolidating this model.
In the European context, biomass is consolidating its position as a relevant element in the decarbonization strategy for the electricity sectorespecially in regions with abundant forest resources. Projects like the one in Logrosán align with EU emissions reduction targets and policies promoting reliable and dispatchable renewable energy.
The Cáceres plant is thus presented as a facility that combines stable renewable energy generation, improved forest management and economic revitalization in rural areas, elements that place it as a representative example of the recent evolution of the biomass sector in Spain and in the European Union as a whole.
With the commissioning of the Logrosán biomass plant, Extremadura adds an infrastructure that not only contributes renewable electricity to the system, but also boosts the fire prevention, local employment and economic activity in an environment marked by depopulation. The project combines technological expertise, a stable regulatory framework, and a territorialized value chain, establishing a benchmark model for the deployment of new biomass facilities in Spain and other European countries.
