BTS DevCo and Eiffel Investment Group invest €50 million to boost biomethane production and cut greenhouse emissions
The European Union currently produces 21 billion cubic metres (bcm) of biomethane and it aims at increasing it to 35 bcm by 2030 to become more independent in terms of energy and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Verona, October 2024 -
Within the bloc, Italy is anticipated to take a leading role, with its biomethane production projected to rise to 6 bcm. The Italian Biogas Consortium further estimates that production could reach 8 bcm.
Against this backdrop, BTS DevCo and Eiffel have decided to invest in biomethane production plants in Italy and Europe through Green One. This platform gathers the expertise of BTS Biogas, technological leader in the biogas and biomethane sector, and benefits from the support of Eiffel Investment Group, through its specialized funds, amongst which Eiffel Gaz Vert, its biogas focused fund.
Green One has the objective to create a significant portfolio of CHP plants to be revamped into biomethane projects in Italy. Some projects have already been incorporated on the platform, with production starting by the end of 2024.
Two of the plants which will be revamped are located in Lombardy Region and are to be found in Lodi and Milzano (province of Brescia). Another one is located in Sant’Agata Bolognese, a small town in Emilia Romagna, while the fourth one is in Gazzo Veronese in Veneto Region. Leveraging on its robust pipeline, Green One aims to integrate 15 plants and invest €150m by 2026.
In the existing portfolio, the four plants will produce overall around 1200 cubic meters of biomethane per hour, equivalent to approximately 10 million cubic meters per year, which is enough to meet the energy consumption of around 45,000 households. The conversion to biomethane will result in an 80 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, i.e. over 21.000 tons of CO2, equivalent to an average of 700.000 trees.
The projects demonstrate the benefits of circular economy. In addition to producing clean energy, the approximately 115.420 tons of livestock effluents and by-products used as feedstocks will generate 127.000 tons of fertilizer in the form of separated liquid and solid digestate.
"We are proud to collaborate with the French company Eiffel Investment Group on the revamping of these plants. These are the first projects carried out by BTS DevCo, the new company of BTS Biogas which was created with the aim of developing, building and operating biomethane plants and now officially enters the market,” says Franco Lusuriello, CEO of BTS. “By upgrading these plants, not only do we realize innovative solutions in the field of integrated anaerobic digestion thanks to our our decades of experience in engineering and plant management. We also play our part in fostering the energy transition in Italy benefiting both the community and the environment."
“With Green One, Eiffel Investment Group reaffirms its commitment to driving sustainable growth in the renewable gas sector and the Italian market transition into biomethane. With BTS, global Tier1 player, and our combined expertise & resources, Green One is well positioned to accelerate the development of biomethane production in Italy, in particular by upgrading existing plants into biomethane. As low-carbon molecules investment experts, we are convinced by the excellence of BTS and delighted to invest in this strategic collaboration in one of the most dynamic European market: which will efficiently contribute to a sustainable energy transition.
Marc-Etienne Mercadier, Fund manager of the ‘Eiffel Gaz Vert’ fund.
BTS DevCo
BTS Devco is a company specialized in the development of anaerobic digestion facilities, with an important portfolio of projects in a market that is rapidly expanding. Established in 2022, it develops, designs, implements, and manages greenfield and brownfield biomethane projects through Special Vehicle companies like Green One.
Media relations
Andrea Cucchetti, +39 349 5554664 acucchetti@consiliumcom.it
Giulia Giacobini, +39 3920282937 ggiacobini@consiliumcom.it
Eiffel Investment Group
Eiffel Investment Group is an asset manager with €6.6 billion under management*. Eiffel Investment Group’s investor base consists of large institutional investors (insurance companies, mutual insurers, pension funds, banks, family offices, public investors, etc.) as well as retail investors via intermediated distribution. Backed by the Impala group founded by entrepreneur Jacques Veyrat, Eiffel Investment Group cultivates a strong industrial expertise, in particular in the field of the energy transition. Eiffel finances companies and their assets through four main strategies: private debt, private equity, energy transition infrastructures and listed equities and credit. Eiffel Investment Group invests for a sustainable world. Its investment strategies aim to generate not only a strong financial performance but also positive social and environmental impacts. Eiffel Investment Group’s team counts around 100 talented professionals, in France (Paris), Italy (Milan), BeNeLux (Amsterdam), the United States of America (New York), Poland (Warsaw) and the UAE (Abu Dhabi). Eiffel Gaz Vert is a specialized professional fund strictly reserved for institutional investors.
* as of 30/06/2024, including uncalled commitments.
Media relations
Samuel Beaupain
samuel@edifice-communication.com
+ 33 6 88 48 48 02