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- Repsol will invest over €800 million in Tarragona’s Ecoplant, the first European facility to convert urban waste into renewable methanol.
- The plant will create 340 long-term jobs and 2,800 jobs during construction.
- The EU-backed project is expected to cut 3.4 million tons of CO2 emissions over its first decade.
Repsol has approved a landmark investment in Catalonia to build Europe’s first facility transforming municipal waste into renewable methanol—a crucial fuel for decarbonizing transport and promoting the circular economy.
“This investment is a clear commitment by Repsol to maintain industrial employment in Spain and to continue generating wealth in the surrounding area.”
How It Works:
- The Tarragona-based Ecoplant will process 400,000 tons of waste annually, producing 240,000 tons of renewable methanol and circular products.
- Using advanced gasification technology developed by Enerkem, it gives a second life to waste that would otherwise be landfilled or incinerated.
- The project has secured EU Innovation Fund backing due to its emissions reduction potential and innovative nature.
Related Article: Repsol to Develop Renewable Energy Projects in Italy Totaling More Than 1,700 MW
Why It Matters:
- The European Commission estimates the plant will cut 3.4 million tons of CO2 over its first decade.
- The European Union aims to reduce carbon intensity in maritime transport by 40% by 2030 and 75% by 2050.
- Repsol already produces renewable diesel in Cartagena and sees renewable methanol as key for decarbonizing shipping, aviation, and road transport.
Scaling the Vision:
With global demand for methanol projected to quintuple by 2050, Repsol is assessing expansion opportunities beyond Tarragona to replicate this model in other regions.
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