Ence has begun preparations for a new biomethane and biofertilizer plant in Xunqueira de Ambía (Ourense). The project involves an investment of approximately €25 million and is part of the company's new business line focused on waste valorization and the circular economy in rural areas.
The initiative has taken a significant administrative step: the Official Gazette of Galicia has published the public information regarding the application for integrated environmental authorization and the environmental impact study , opening the period for submitting comments. The proposal aims to produce primarily organic fertilizers and, to a lesser extent, renewable gas.
Location, investment and scope of the project
The project's developer is Biofertilizantes y Biometano Sertogal Xunqueira , a company within the Ence group through its subsidiary Ence Biogás , and will rely on the Ourense-based engineering firm Sertogal for the development and construction. The company's headquarters are located in the Santiago de Compostela area , reinforcing the local character of the initiative.
This is Ence's first biogas initiative in Galicia , part of an expanding national platform. The company reports having 17 projects undergoing environmental review and around 20 more under development with feasibility studies already completed, in addition to recent operations in the sector, such as the acquisition of a biomethane plant in Tarragona. The overall plan anticipates scaling up production in this division in the medium term.
Treatment capacity and products
The planned facility will be able to valorize approximately 140.000 tons of biomass annually from agricultural, livestock, and agri-food sources. The supply will focus on locally sourced raw materials : in Xunqueira de Ambía, an estimated 19.000 tons/year of livestock byproducts are produced, and within a 20 km radius, the potential volume exceeds 420.000 tons/year, facilitating efficient logistics.
The core of the process will be a controlled anaerobic digestion that will generate biogas. After a purification system ( upgrading ), the gas will reach the quality of biomethane suitable for injection into the grid . This yields a renewable energy product aligned with decarbonization goals.
The digested material will undergo solid/liquid separation . The solid fraction will be used for composting, while the liquid fraction and wastewater streams will be treated with reverse osmosis . The resulting effluent will be partially recirculated to the process, and the remainder will be used as liquid fertilizer or irrigation water . Sanitary wastewater will be channeled to a sealed septic tank managed by an authorized waste management company.
As a result, the plant aims to produce around 25.000 tons of solid biofertilizer annually, meeting European quality standards. According to the documentation, the planned mix will be 90% organic fertilizer and 10% renewable gas. This type of fertilizer, with its high organic matter content, helps improve soil structure, enhances water retention, and reduces the risk of nitrate contamination in aquifers.
Employment and local value chain
During construction, up to 150 jobs are expected to be created , while once operational, the estimated number of jobs, both direct and indirect, is around 80. These are significant figures for a medium-sized municipality seeking to boost the local economy.
The company has stated its intention to prioritize local businesses in its auxiliary contracts, thereby strengthening its impact on the local economy. Furthermore, logistics will be planned to minimize disruption, avoiding truck traffic through urban areas whenever possible.
Industrial design and impact control
The technical model has been designed for odor-free operation . Raw materials will be stored in enclosed buildings, liquid substrates will remain in sealed tanks, and the facilities will incorporate advanced air filtration systems to mitigate diffuse emissions.
The project is also presented as a way to improve the management of manure and slurry , contributing to the reduction of nitrogen load in the environment and the denitrification of aquifers. This approach, linked to valorization, seeks to transform an environmental problem into useful resources for agriculture.
According to the documentation submitted for public review, the treatment will focus on non-hazardous waste and animal by-products not intended for human consumption, with environmental control and monitoring procedures in place. The plan also includes routes and schedules designed to minimize disruption to residents' daily lives.
With these elements, Xunqueira de Ambía aims to position itself on the map of the circular economy in Galicia through a plant that combines waste valorization, production of organic fertilizers and biomethane for the network, aligning itself with Ence's strategy to expand this technological platform on a national scale.
