Spain needs 15 new waste-to-energy plants to meet EU targets

Spain must build at least 15 new waste-to-energy (WtE) plants by 2035 to comply with the EU directive limiting landfill to 10% of municipal waste, according to Veolia and other sector estimates. Currently, only 11 plants operate in Spain, treating about 11% of municipal waste, while nearly half (47%) still ends up in landfills Source: elconfidencial. This contrasts sharply with countries like Germany and France, where WtE handles 30-40% of waste Source: elmundoes.

The market for these facilities is valued at up to €9.7 billion, attracting major players such as Veolia, PreZero, Acciona, and Valoriza Source: elespanol. However, economic barriers persist: landfill costs around €30 per tonne, while WtE treatment ranges from €80 to €100 per tonne Source: elconfidencial. The EU has initiated infringement proceedings against Spain for failing to meet 2020 recycling targets, with a two-month deadline to respond Source: elmundoes.

The economic challenge

Entering the WtE market requires significant upfront investment. Typical plants cost between €120 million and €800 million, with recent European projects averaging €300 million for medium-sized facilities Source: elespanol. The UK’s Leeds plant, operated by Veolia, exemplifies the model: it processes 184,000 tonnes annually from 370,000 homes, converting non-recyclable waste into electricity and heat Source: elconfidencial.