The project will examine the viability of using the biogas produced by the landfill for injection into the natural gas network or as a fuel for vehicles.

GAS NATURAL FENOSA, Hera Amasa (a company belonging to HERA HOLDING) and Sociedad de Desarrollo de Navarra (SODENA), have reached an agreement to implement a pilot industrial biogas treatment and enrichment project at the Góngora landfill site in Navarre. The goal of the project is to study whether biogas - once it has been treated and converted into biomethane - meets the conditions necessary for use.

The project, for the development of which an agreement has been reached with the Mancomunidad de la Comarca de Pamplona [Pamplona District Council], will last for one year and receive an initial investment of 600,000 euros. At the end of that period, the results will be studied in order to assess the viability of such biogas recovery.

If the results are positive, it will be possible to inject the biomethane into the natural gas distribution network or use it as a fuel in the automotive industry.

The landfill site in question - located at the Góngora Urban Waste Treatment Centre (with Spanish acronym CTRU) - generates over 11 million cubic metres of biogas per year, the methane content of which exceeds 50%. This biogas contains 65 GWh/year of energy, equivalent to the annual consumption of over 6,000 households and some 7,000 gas-powered vehicles.

In order to undertake this pilot project, a plant (developed by HERA) will be installed at the Góngora landfill with a processing capacity of 100 normal cubic metres per hour (Nm3/h). This will enable the treatment of 850,000 Nm3 of biomethane.

Innovation and sustainability

The project represents a commitment to innovation in the field of environmental sustainability. Just like natural gas, biomethane is a fuel that reduces greenhouse emissions.

HERA HOLDING is the lead company of a group of companies with expertise in sustainability and engaged in offering comprehensive environmental solutions in the field of responsible environmental management.

GAS NATURAL FENOSA commercialises natural gas and electricity in Navarre, where it currently has over 97,000 natural gas customers and over 26,000 electricity customers. Through its distribution affiliate, Gas Navarra, the company supplies natural gas to 131 towns throughout the region.

Supported by Sodena

Under its strategy to encourage the generation and development of business projects for Navarre, Sodena - a Navarre public company and a financial instrument used by the Provincial Government of Navarre to encourage economic development mainly through venture capital - has adopted a pro-active role in this project alongside GAS NATURAL FENOSA and HERA HOLDING by providing non-economic support.


Barcelona, 14 October 2014.

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