International
Snam performs first refueling of 100% biomethane in Tuscany
The first supply of cars and trucks in Italy with only biomethane took place in Rapolano, in the province of Siena. The supplies were made as part of the opening ceremony of an IP-branded service station created by Snam. The distributor, located at the Siena-Bettolle junction, is currently the only company in Italy that is able to supply vehicles with 100% biomethane, obtained from the organic fraction of urban waste. The initiative also involves the collaboration of SEAT.
The green fuel was supplied to Piccini Paolo Spa (the owner of the plant) by SESA Spa (Estense Environmental Services Company), a Padua-based company, and will allow for the delivery of over 150 supplies. In the future, the refueling station could be powered by biogas plants that will open in the area. Rapolano is the sixth distributor created by Snam in Italy.
Biomethane sector is rapidly developing. Currently, there are six plants connected to the Snam network in Italy: in Lombardy (Milan, Montello and Sarmato), Calabria (Rende), Emilia-Romagna (Sant’Agata Bolognese) and Lazio (Anzio), with about 30 other producers planning to be connected in the future. According to the estimates of the CIB (Italian Biogas Consortium), the country has a production potential of 8 billion cubic meters per year of biomethane by 2030, a quantity exceeding 10% of the national gas needs.
Using natural and renewable gas for transport combines environmental sustainability with positive economic impact, reducing emissions of particulates and NOx, significantly reducing CO2 emissions and ensuring significant savings for consumers. Italy has the largest number of NGVs in Europe (around 1 million) and the most developed refueling network (1,300 distributors), which is also expanding thanks to Snam’s investments.