The drive towards a more respectful awareness of the environment and natural resources has been stimulating, for years, a shift in almost all human activities towards more sustainable practices. The fight against climate change has accelerated this process in which everyone, at their own level, has introduced into our routine attitudes aimed at preserving the planet. Every gesture matters. From there And for major companies to operate fully in this new green horizon, which is capable of opening the door to a carbon-free future And best of all.
that it The new model requires a transformation in all sectors, especially those that have traditionally generated the largest amount of emissions. This is the case of industry or heavy transport, land, air and sea, to name a few. Note that for various reasons, these are areas where the commitment to electricity and other sustainable energy sources is currently difficult to implement. But this does not mean that there are no solutions: In these cases, biofuels are positioned as a logical alternative.
but What is biofuel and what distinguishes it from conventional fuel? The answer lies, essentially, in its originIn the raw materials used in its production. While “usual” fuels come from fossil elements that originated millions of years ago, such as oil, in the case of biofuels the source is the organic matter that surrounds us. Depending on the origin of this raw material, we can distinguish between first generation (1G) or second generation (2G) biofuels. The first comes from agricultural crops such as sugarcane, beets or molasses, grains such as wheat, barley or corn, or oils such as rapeseed or soybeans; While the latter, which do not compete with food, are manufactured from organic waste such as used cooking oils, agricultural or animal waste, or forest biomass, among others.
It is precisely this difference in their origin with conventional fuels that gives them their basic characteristics in light of context: Biofuels are able to significantly reduce the level of net carbon dioxide emissions2 Throughout its entire life cycle – up to 90% -, a feature that positions it as a real and sustainable option to achieve the decarbonisation of our economy.
Schematic diagram of the biofuel production process. Photo: CEPSA
Which is that, Far from being science fiction, the application and use of this type of fuel is real: Under its various types, such as renewable diesel (HVO) or sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), our trucks, ships or planes are already moving, although their existence has not yet ended. Growing up To comply with European legislation which, depending on the specific sector, gives them an increasingly greater role at the expense of fossil fuels.
Be a reference for energy transmission
The targets set by Europe have been developed within the framework of the package of measures Fit for 55It is a group of initiatives that seek to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 55% in 2030 at the European level and achieve climate neutrality in 2050. These numbers show The authorities’ emphasis on achieving tangible results in the fight against climate change to which the various actors involved are fully committed.
In the case of CEPSA, which… strategy Positive movement, with a horizon of 2030, is already a statement of intent. This is a plan that sets the goal of decarbonising its business and that of its customers. Which he seeks Leading sustainable mobility and energy in Spain and Portugal, thus becoming a benchmark for the energy transition.
Aside from the emissions reduction figures, which CEPSA aims to reduce by up to 55% during this decade, One of its strongest bets in particular is producing what the company calls “green molecules.”Especially green hydrogen and renewable fuels such as biofuels. The energy company has set itself the goal of being a leader in manufacturing in Spain and Portugal: The company expects its annual production capacity to reach 2.5 million tons of biofuel by 2030, including 800,000 tons from SAF.. To provide the equation, the company indicates that this amount is enough to fly over the planet 2000 times.
He has already given Cepsa The first steps to achieve this. Last year, production of second-generation biofuels began at the La Rabida energy complex, which the company owns in Palos de la Frontera, Huelva. Thanks to the conversion of some of its production facilities, Cepsa is gradually increasing its production, which will make a big leap once it is launched. And also in La Rabida, the What will happen The largest 2G biofuel plant in Southern Europe. This is a joint venture with Bio-Oils and is scheduled to start in 2026. It will have flexible production capacity 500 thousand tons annually of renewable diesel and SAF.
It represents a very significant advance and opens the door to mass production capable of meeting demand over time. Incidentally, it will contribute to other concepts that are most fashionable today and that also have an impact on planetary care and responsible use of resources: Circular economy. Using waste to make biofuel means giving it a second life and preventing it from ending up in landfills..
Fuel the present and the entire future before us
That biofuels are a reality is due to another characteristic Preferably implemented in the transportation sector: chemical similarity with fossil fuels. It is a more important detail than it seems because this analogy allows it to be replaced partially or completely without the need to make any kind of modification either to the engines of trucks, ships or aircraft or to the storage and distribution systems that supply them, and therefore it can be said that it is ready for use.
In fact, we notice how Its use is gradually increasing in all means of heavy transport from sea to air. More and more airlines are conducting different tests or including a percentage of SAF on some of their regular routes. The availability of the product at airports also contributes to expanding its use in the aviation field. Cepsa has become the first company to market SAF at five of Spain’s major airports (Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca), which account for around 60% of the country’s air traffic.
This ease of use is also transferred to its production. As we have seen, there is mature technology to manufacture it, and it can be reused with some modifications. Current industrial facilities. Commitment to sustainable fuels means not only supporting the country’s industrial and energy fabric, a key sector in any economy, but also leading to the diversification of energy sources, and with it greater energy independence for Spain and Europe.
Benefits and Initiatives that allow for faster progress in the energy transition and pave the way towards climate neutrality. Innovation, technology and responsibility to live up to what the planet and future generations need. In short, creating a better world for everyone starting today.
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