Valladolid Builds a More Sustainable City with Biomass District Heating

In Valladolid, a forward-looking district heating project fueled with sustainable biomass is transforming the way energy is delivered to homes and public buildings. By using locally sourced, renewable biomass, the city is replacing fossil fuels with a regionally available resource and creating real benefits for residents, the environment, and the rural economy.

Led by SOMACYL (Sociedad Pública de Infraestructuras y Medio Ambiente de Castilla y León), the network has been in operation for over a decade, beginning at the Miguel Delibes campus of the University of Valladolid. Today, it is expanding significantly through two main networks, “Valladolid Oeste” and “Huerta del Rey”, that will supply over 10,200 homes and 67 public buildings, including:

• The University of Valladolid: one of the European universities with the lowest carbon footprint
• The Clinical University Hospital
• Schools, residences, sports centers, and elder care facilities
• Key municipal and regional government buildings

Once completed, these networks  will generate over 130 million kWh of renewable thermal energy per year and replace more than 400 fossil fuel boilers, accelerating Valladolid’s transition to sustainability.

The district heating will provide a centralized urban energy service open to both public and private buildings, unlocking cost, energy, and operational advantages across three city neighbourhoods.

For users, the benefits are clear:

• No individual boilers or chimneys: no breakdowns, replacements, noise, or combustion risks
• Over 30% savings on energy bills compared to fossil fuels
• No costly maintenance or upgrades
• Improved building energy ratings
• More usable indoor space
• Flexible, scalable heating capacity
• Digital, remotely managed energy use
• Reliable and secure heat supply year-round

For the region, the impact is long-term and sustainable:

• 36,250 tonnes of CO₂ avoided annually, cutting Valladolid’s carbon footprint
• Stronger rural bioeconomy, through job creation and local biomass sourcing
• Greater energy independence by reducing fossil fuel reliance
• Lower wildfire risk, thanks to managed biomass collection from forest areas

By combining sustainability, affordability, and regional development, the biomass district heating network is supporting Valladolid’s energy transition. Supplied by the surrounding forests and farms, it embodies the connection between the city and the countryside.