The sector generated in 2017 a business of almost 14,7 million euros
The province of Valladolid counted at the end of last year a total of 4.393 biomass installations of high efficiency, compared to the 257 registered in 2008, according to the data of the Observatory of Biomass.
Of the total figure, 3.832 are stoves (45,2 MW), 339 boilers smaller than 50kw (11,6 MW), common in domestic use; and 222 boilers of industrial or collective type, equal to or greater than 50kW (126,8 MW).
The energy generated was 31,8 kTEP in 2017, compared to 9,7 kTEP in 2009. In this way, the emission of 98.446,2 tons of CO2 has been avoided (compared to 30.125,3 tons in 2009), which which is equivalent to removing 65.630 vehicles in the province.
In addition, the turnover is estimated at 14,67 million euros, of which 8,29 correspond to biofuels; 3,52, to new facilities; and 2,85, to maintenance.
A slow transition
The City Council of the capital is immersed in a process of change based on the energy audit carried out in 2010 due to the Emissions Inventory required as one of the first steps of the Covenant of Mayors.
The City Council consumes mainly natural gas (22.293,05 MWh) and emits approximately 4.503,20 tons of CO2 annually, as well as generating more than 3.000 vehicles in a year. In fact, lately it is renovating gas boilers for gas ones. On the other hand, it already consumes biofuels in several facilities (17.460,00 MWh).
The consumption of other public administrations in the city and the services sector reached 191.518,03 MWh of natural gas, which emitted 38.686,64 tons of CO2.
Regarding residential heating, Valladolid people consume 2.039.667,01 MWh of natural gas; 1.441.031,10 GLP; and 182.586,53 of heating oil, which represents the emission of 795.832,56 tons of CO2.
For its part, the industry of Valladolid (not including the integrated in the regime of trade of emission rights of the EU) consumed 1.551.183,13 MWh of natural gas, which means the emission of 313.338,99 tons of CO2.
In total, 5,45 million MWh of fossil fuels are consumed to generate heating in Valladolid each year, the equivalent of about 553 million liters of diesel that must be imported, and 1,15 million tons of CO2 are emitted at the atmosphere, equivalent to what 768.000 cars produce each year.
For all this, and being aware that the city already suffers the consequences of climate change, Valladolid should make the shift towards an ecological transition to renewable energy in the heating of the city. Small steps are being taken in the industry, in the residential sector and with the new heat networks, but in view of the aforementioned data, it seems that it is totally insufficient.