In this way, the waste deposited in the brown bin can be transformed entirely into a renewable energy source. The plant began its testing phase in June and will start receiving its first waste at the end of this month to gradually begin operations.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Deputy General of Bizkaia, Elixabete Etxanobe; the Director General of the Basque Energy Agency (EVE), Mikel Amundarain; and Borja Martín Zorita, Business Development Director of PreZero, who visited the facilities and learned firsthand about the different phases of the process.
Metabarri represents an investment of €25 million, having received a grant of over €17 million from Next Generation EU funds. It occupies an area of approximately 8,300 square meters next to the existing composting plant at the Artigas Ecopark. Its implementation will allow for a response to the anticipated growth in the separate collection of organic waste via the brown bin over the coming years.
During the inauguration, Elixabete Etxanobe emphasized that “Metabarri perfectly represents the Bizkaia we want to build: a territory that transforms its waste into resources like compost and generates renewable energy, anticipating the challenges of the future. This plant will allow us to transform up to 50,000 tons of organic matter per year and demonstrates that the circular economy is not just a goal: it is a reality that we are already putting into practice.”
Borja Martín Zorita, Business Development Director at PreZero, emphasized that “for decades, this region has been at the forefront of the circular economy. The plant we are inaugurating today is a further example of technology and innovation in this long history of continuous improvement. This pioneering facility, the result of public-private collaboration, demonstrates once again that together we can achieve much more. At PreZero, we are prepared and ready to continue supporting Bizkaia on its path towards a better economic and environmental future.”
Key benefits of Metabarri:
• Converts waste into renewable energy. The organic matter collected in the brown bin is used to produce a renewable gas.
• Reduces the use of fossil fuels. Biomethane can replace fossil gas, thus contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and our energy dependence.
• Produces energy reliably. Its generation does not depend on factors such as sun or wind, providing a continuous source of renewable and manageable energy.
• Makes better use of generated energy. Transforming biogas into biomethane allows for an energy efficiency of nearly 90%, compared to around 40% when used to produce electricity.
• Can be used through the existing natural gas network. Biomethane can be integrated into the network and reach homes, businesses, industries, or transportation-related uses without requiring changes to users' installations.
• Optimizes compost production. The pretreatment of organic matter at Metabarri streamlines the subsequent process at Bizkaiko Konpostegia and doubles its organic matter treatment capacity.
It generates locally sourced energy. Metabarri utilizes waste generated in Bizkaia to produce renewable energy and helps reduce dependence on imported fuels.
