COVAP aims to cover 80% of its energy needs with renewable sources in the coming years
This morning, COVAP presented its Circular Economy model, unique in Europe, which includes photovoltaic energy, biogas and biomass to move towards energy self-sufficiency. This project aims to establish a 360º management system in which the energy from the sun, waste and by-products from the partners' livestock farms and manufacturing processes, and organic matter from forests are used to generate the electricity and steam needed by its five industrial plants.
COVAP has established a partnership with three leading companies in the sector to implement this circular economy strategy. Magtel is responsible for developing the photovoltaic energy park, whose construction has already begun; Genia Bioenergy designs and implements the biogas generation process; Veolia will build and operate the biomass plant. Specifically, the Cooperative will replace 80% of its fossil fuel use with renewable energy through the installation of a 6 MW photovoltaic plant with an output of 11,000 MW/year; the 7 MW biogas plant, which will supply 40,000 MW/year, and the 13.4 MW biomass plant, which will generate 80,000 MW/year.
The advantages of this new model focus on making the most of all its own resources, reducing energy dependence on external sources, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80%, reusing 60,000 m3 of water and producing 25,000 tonnes of organic fertilisers, which will be used by farmers in the production of raw materials for animal feed. The creation of high-quality, specialised jobs will be important, as it will also provide an opportunity to retain talent in the region.
During the presentation, COVAP's managing director, Antonio Carmona, emphasised that "the project responds to the need to bring about a transformative change in the way we produce. In addition to offering high-quality, healthy and nutritious food, it must be in balance with our environment and the planet, in order to continue to guarantee a sustainable future for new generations, something the Cooperative has been working towards since its foundation in 1959."
Magtel's CEO, Martín Salgado, also spoke, explaining that ‘currently, in many of the projects we carry out in Andalusia, and this is a magnificent example, we provide advanced technological solutions in energy and environmental sustainability for industry, which allows us to apply the constant innovation that characterises our business activity'. Genia Bioenergy CEO Gabriel Butler stated that ‘the circular economy cycle that COVAP is going to implement with its biogas and biomethane plant, which recovers thousands of tonnes of waste to generate energy from renewable sources and organic amendments that naturally replenish farmland, should be standard practice in Spanish agriculture.’ Finally, Francisco Villalobos, Managing Director of Veolia Servicios Lecam, said that "Veolia is, as of today, a key ally in supporting COVAP in its decarbonisation challenge. At Veolia, we have designed a biomass plant with the capacity to cover 100% of the steam demand of COVAP's facilities. In addition to operating and maintaining these facilities, we will supply the biomass needed to run the boilers. In this way, we will be providing clean fuel and reducing CO2 emissions."
