Renewable fuels

First large-scale renewable fuels production plant

The production on an industrial scale of the Cartagena complex makes it unique in Spain and Portugal.

We have started-up, in Cartagena, the first large-scale 100% renewable fuels plant on the iberian peninsula. A pioneering project that makes us a strategic location in the manufacturing of renewable fuels, thus contributing to reducing the carbon footprint in transport.

€250M

Investment in the plant

250,000t/y

Production capacity at the Cartagena plant

2.7Mt

2030 renewable fuel production capacity target

+1,000

direct and indirect professionals in its start-up

Achievements foreseen

Unique on the iberian peninsula, it will enable the production of 250,000 t/y of renewable fuels. Its use will allow the reduction of 900,000 tonnes of CO₂per year by reducing net CO₂ emissions by 80%-90% compared to the fuel of mineral origin it replaces.

Operator at the Cartagena biofuels facility

Investment

The investment in Cartagena of €250M has been carried out in several stages since 2022.

The project covers a surface of 41,500 m². Three of them, inside the refinery, correspond to the hydrotreating unit, the hydrogen production unit, and the storage tank area. The fourth area is located in facilities of the Port Authority of Cartagena.

Construction

In July 2022, we received the large equipment that makes up the hydrotreating unit, the "heart" of the manufacturing process of the fuels.

The unit's two reactors arrived from Gijón. The first of them has a height of 19 meters and a weight of 64 tonnes. The second is 35 meters and 180 tonnes.

As well as the two reactors, another two large pieces of equipment also arrived at Repsol's facilities from Tarragona. Two columns, one of 30 meters and another of 39 meters, the equivalent of a 15-story building, were transported to Cartagena in just one piece.

Ship with used oil at the port of Cartagena

Production

In May 2023, the first ship with used cooking oil unloaded 500 tonnes of used cooking oil, the main raw material that is used to manufacture these fuels.

The new Cartagena plant has the capacity to produce 250,000 tonnes of these fuels per year, manufactured from 300,000 tonnes of organic waste, such as used cooking oil, prioritizing national and European origin, which are transformed into high value-added products.

The production of renewable fuels represents 5% of its total diesel production and 17% of its kerosene production.

The formalization of the agreement with Bunge will allow the growing demand for raw materials to be met and the supply of these renewable fuels to leading heavy duty vehicle companies such as Scania, Grupo Sesé, Carreras, Alsa and in aviation with Iberia, Vueling, and Ryanair.

See news article

The production of biofuels is certified under the ISCC-EU Voluntary Sustainability Scheme and the Spanish National Sustainability Verification System, ensuring traceability and production in accordance with Renewable Energy Directive (RED) standards.

Female workers at Cartagena biofuels facility

Industrial employment

The start-up of the new plant has represented the generation of around 1,000 jobs in the engineering, construction, and commissioning stages, and the involvement of 140 auxiliary companies, of which 70% are local, and which have contributed to making a project that promotes industrial development and generates quality employment a reality.

On the part of Repsol, 150 professionals from different areas of the Cartagena industrial complex have taken part in the project, as well as from other Repsol industrial centers in Spain, generating a unique team that has shared knowledge, experience, and best practices.

Join our team