The issue of building biomethane plants in the province of Cuenca has become one of the most pressing concerns for local residents. Several towns have found themselves at the center of a major conflict due to plans for seven large facilities for processing organic waste. For the locals, this is more than just a debate about technology — it’s about the future of their villages, water quality, and the preservation of their traditional way of life.
Last weekend, the town of Carrascosa del Campo saw a large-scale protest, gathering around 1,800 people, according to organizers. Residents took to the streets to voice their opposition to projects they fear could turn their land into a site for storing and processing waste, without providing tangible benefits for the local community. As reported by El Pais, not only did residents of the five villages in the Campos del Paraíso municipality join the protest, but also forty civic organizations and people from neighboring municipalities.
Residents’ concerns
The main concerns are related to potential soil and water contamination, as well as unpleasant odors and increased traffic. Local farmers claim that the only significant waste from their farms is straw from cereal crops, and that the amount of manure planned for processing at the plants does not reflect the region’s actual needs. According to representatives of the agricultural sector, the use of so-called ‘digestate’—the residual product after biogas production—may lead to harmful substances, including antibiotics and heavy metals, entering the soil and, ultimately, the food supply.
Promises of new jobs are also met with skepticism. Many believe that factory jobs will go to outside specialists rather than local residents. In addition, locals point out a lack of transparency in project discussions: information about the companies’ plans became public only after the documents had already been submitted for review.
Project scale
Particular concern surrounds the project by ENCE, the leading player in the pulp industry, which plans to build a plant just 2.5 kilometers from the residential area of Carrascosa del Campo. According to the company, the facility could process up to 140,000 tons of organic waste per year, with 90,000 tons being pig manure brought in from other regions. Combined with other projects within a 30-kilometer radius, annual processing could reach up to one million tons of waste.
Local activists emphasize that such a scheme has nothing to do with the principles of a circular economy, since most of the raw materials will be imported. This will lead to an increase in truck traffic, additional strain on infrastructure, and environmental pollution risks. According to russpain.com, similar projects often spark protests in rural areas of Spain, where residents fear their territories are turning into ‘sacrifice zones’ for the interests of big companies.
Authorities’ response and outlook
The authorities of Castilla-La Mancha are developing a new regulatory act to govern the operation of such enterprises. However, the final decision on granting construction permits remains with the municipalities. The Campos del Paraíso city council intends to use all possible legal tools to delay the permit process and introduce stricter controls on waste disposal.
Municipal mayor Francisco Javier del Saz announced his support for the residents and his readiness to defend the community’s interests. At the same time, he notes that it is impossible to fully ban the construction of plants if companies meet all formal requirements. Over 4,000 signatures have already been collected against the projects in the region, while activists continue to inform the population about potential consequences.
Context and similar cases
In recent years, there has been a surge in protests against large industrial projects in rural areas of Spain. In the regions of Castilla y León, Galicia, and Aragón, residents have repeatedly opposed the construction of waste processing and biogas plants, fearing environmental degradation and population decline. Authorities often find themselves caught between the interests of investors and the demands of local communities. Recently, new housing market regulations were discussed in the country, sparking strong reactions — you can read more about this in our article on new rental rules and housing price caps. Such conflicts highlight how acutely Spain faces the challenge of balancing development with the preservation of traditional ways of life.
As El Pais notes, residents of Cuenca are not opposed to industry itself but demand that new enterprises take local community interests into account and avoid harming the environment. The future of rural territories remains uncertain, and the decisions made today will shape the fate of these regions for decades to come.
