- Barcelona launches the world’s first low-carbon energy network using residual cold from LNG regasification, generating 131 GWh annually and cutting 32,000 tons of CO2 emissions.
- The project, developed by Veolia and Enagás, powers critical infrastructures like Fira de Barcelona and supports industrial sectors, including Mercabarna’s food market.
- Veolia and Enagás plan to replicate the model globally, demonstrating a scalable solution to enhance energy efficiency and support global decarbonisation efforts.
Barcelona has launched the world’s first energy network that uses residual cold from liquefied natural gas (LNG) to generate low-carbon energy. In partnership with Veolia and Enagás, this project produces 131 GWh of energy annually while reducing 32,000 tons of CO2 emissions. The city is taking a significant step forward regarding energy efficiency and climate action.
The network operates at the Port of Barcelona, where LNG, transported at -160°C, undergoes regasification with seawater to convert it into natural gas. Instead of wasting the cold from this process, Enagás and Veolia designed a system that captures and reuses it for sustainable energy production.
This energy powers critical facilities, including Fira de Barcelona and the Generalitat de Catalunya offices. The system provides enough energy to meet the needs of a city like Reus, with 100,000 people. It also prevents the same CO2 emissions as 110 round-trip flights between Barcelona and New York.
Arturo Gonzalo, CEO of Enagás, emphasised the global potential of this technology, noting its application at more than 150 LNG terminals worldwide. “This solution taps into untapped energy resources and strengthens energy independence,” he said.
The project, initiated in 2009, came from a close collaboration between Veolia, Enagás, and Barcelona’s municipal government. It meets the city’s energy needs while enhancing the competitiveness of its port and surrounding infrastructure.
Veolia’s GreenUp strategy, which focuses on transforming the energy mix, plays a vital role in the project’s vision. Estelle Brachlianoff, Veolia’s CEO, stressed the need to cut energy waste. “We must make full use of available resources to fight inefficiency and climate change,” she stated.
Mercabarna, Barcelona’s largest food market, also joined the project. The market will use the cold energy from the LNG terminal to power eight pavilions dedicated to fruits, vegetables, and seafood. This move shows how the technology benefits industrial operations as well.
Veolia and Enagás plan to replicate this successful model at other LNG terminals in Spain and abroad. The environmental and economic benefits underscore the project’s potential for broader use in global energy transitions.
By reusing cold energy to produce clean power, Barcelona sets a new standard for cities looking to decarbonise their energy systems. The project boosts the city’s climate resilience and energy innovation leadership, offering a practical solution to global decarbonisation efforts.