NEW HEAT PLANT WITH BIOMASS IN PAMPLONA

Engie is a company that has long established itself as one of the leaders in the installation of urban heating and cooling networks nationwide. The fact that it has been awarded the construction and operation of one of the most ambitious energy remodeling projects in Spain means the culmination of its career and the definitive victory over the competition against other companies in the sector.

The plant in question will be built at the access to Orvina on the northern ring road and this project, added to the civil works, urbanization and distribution networks, will cost approximately 12.5 million euros, co-financed to 50% by the Operational Program of the European Regional Development Fund, who has an important role in supporting energy renewal, especially in the implementation of renewable energies. The rest of the budget will be borne by Engie itself.

It is believed that the plant, together with the network in phase 1, will be operational in 2020, at which time it will be able to supply heat to 4,500 families in the Navarrese capital. In this first phase it is estimated that it will be able to reach the thermal production capacity of 14.5 MW, which will double when reaching the second phase. The initial plan foresees a network of about 4.5km in length, although expansions are planned if demand requires it.

The plant in question will base its production on the burning of forest biomass, an ecological fuel of plant origin that will represent 90% of the total consumed by this heat provider. The remaining 10% will be contributed by natural gas.

What is biomass and why is it an ecological alternative?

Biomass, in this case forestry, is a fuel of organic origin that is usually used as a source of heat or, indirectly, for the generation of electrical energy. In the case of plant biomass, it is usually the inedible remains resulting from conreos (peels, stems and similar) or wood not suitable for construction (forest biomass). Although its use dates back to the discovery of fire, it is now that we can use it to power large modern infrastructures with different types of energy, such as this case.

The fact that this plant is used exclusively to supply heat to Pamplona will mean a great reduction in the city's electricity expenditure, since it is during the winter months, mainly due to the use of central heating and other temperature regulating devices, when the Household energy expenditure reaches one of the highest peaks of the year.

Thus, this installation represents a great step forward for the energy renewal of Pamplona, which will be a more sustainable city.