European Chemical Industry News & Insights

Cepsa to Invest 1 Billion Euros in New Biofuels Plant in Spain

At a glance
  • The plant will be located in 'La Rábida' Energy Park and will create 1,600 jobs during construction.
  • The 2G biofuels will be made from organic waste like used cooking oils and agricultural waste.
  • The plant aims to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional fuels.
  • Cepsa plans to produce 2.5 million tons of biofuels annually by 2030.

Project Overview

Cepsa is set to build a new second-generation (2G) biofuels plant in Palos de la Frontera, Huelva, with an investment of up to 1 billion euros. The plant will be located in the 'La Rábida' Energy Park and is expected to create 1,600 direct and indirect jobs during its construction phase.

Biofuels Production

The plant will produce renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from organic waste, such as used cooking oils and agricultural waste. This approach promotes the circular economy by utilizing waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.

Environmental Impact

The use of 2G biofuels can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional fuels. This makes them crucial for advancing the energy transition and decarbonizing transport sectors where electrification is challenging, such as heavy road, air, and maritime transport.

Strategic Goals

As part of its 2030 strategy, Positive Motion, Cepsa aims to become a leader in biofuels production in Spain and Portugal, targeting an annual output of 2.5 million tons. The company also plans to reduce its CO2 emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 55% and its carbon intensity index by 15-20% by 2030, with the ultimate goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Sustainable Development

The development and use of biofuels contribute to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, including affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), responsible production and consumption (SDG 12), and climate action (SDG 13).