The measure expands the list of raw materials included in the Annex I of Order TED/728/2024, of July 15, which develops the mechanism for promoting biofuels and other renewable fuels. In addition to olive pomace, the following are also included: cornflour, a by-product from the bioethanol production process.
Both subjects are classified in Part A of Annex I of Royal Decree 376/2022, within the group of biomass fractions from industrial waste unsuitable for use in the human or animal food chain, in line with the sustainability criteria required by European regulations.
The inclusion of pomace brandy as a double-count subject represents an important recognition of its potential as sustainable energy resource and reinforces the comprehensive use of by-products from the Spanish olive oil sector.
This step will facilitate their valorization in the form of advanced biofuels, contributing to the decarbonization of transport and driven by the circular economy in rural areas that produce olive oil.
The resolution will be effective from January 2026 and is available on the system portal SYCBIOS from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge: https://energia.gob.es/biocarburantes/Paginas/sicbios.aspx
What does “double counting” mean?
He double counting it's a regulatory incentive that allows accounting twice the energy produced from certain waste and by-products (so-called “advanced” raw materials) in compliance with national biofuel incorporation targets.
In practice, this means that one liter of biofuel made with pomace will count as two liters for the purpose of complying with the sector's annual obligations.
This mechanism seeks promote the use of non-food materials, improve the sustainability of transport and reduce dependence on agricultural crops, driving the development of advanced biofuels of residual origin.
Clarification on the European framework
The Ministry has clarified that this measure complements the European list in Annex IX of Directive (EU) 2018/2001, as amended by Directive (EU) 2023/2413 (RED III), which includes the general categories of advanced raw materials.
Thus, the inclusion of pomace is carried out through the national resolution that incorporates it into Part A of Annex I of the Royal Decree 376/2022, which enables its double counting in Spain.