Bankinter Investment and Plenium Partners Lead Acquisition of Italian Biometano Company BG Holding
Bankinter Investment and Plenium Partners have announced the acquisition of BG Holding an Italian company specialising in biometano through their Ecualia Capital fund. The purchase was completed by acquiring the shares from previous shareholders Green Arrow and Iron RE strengthening their strategic position in Italys renewable energy sector.
BG Holding is responsible for two operational biogas plants located in Aprilia within the province of Latina in Lazio. These facilities Bioenergie Italia Soc Agr S.r.l and ER Societa Agricola a r.l are currently undergoing reconversion to produce biometano a renewable gas with significant environmental benefits.
Although specific financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed both entities emphasised that this move underscores their ongoing commitment to sustainability renewable energy and the development of innovative projects in Italy. The platform part of Ecualia Capital already operates multiple plants with a combined capacity approaching 750 standard cubic metres per hour of biometano production.
Preliminary plans involve converting the existing plants which originally served as agricultural biogas facilities into biometano producers. Once completed each plant is expected to produce 517 standard cubic metres per hour of biometano with the gas being directly injected into Italys national gas network via Snam Rete Gas and Italgas. The commercial operation for these facilities is scheduled to commence between July and September 2026.
Both plants will process around 120000 tonnes annually of livestock derivatives and agro industrial waste including animal by products and agricultural residues. Their participation was secured through the third auction organised by GSE Italys energy transition agency ensuring long term regulated revenue streams from renewable energy certificates.
Once fully operational the plants are projected to generate approximately 90 gigawatt hours of renewable biometano annually equivalent to the yearly gas consumption of roughly 6000 Italian households while avoiding nearly 18000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year by replacing fossil natural gas.
According to financial advisers involved EY Parthenon carried out the technical and commercial due diligence EY handled legal financial and fiscal assessments Green Horse provided legal advice Howden conducted representations and warranties and PCA Broker managed insurance due diligence.
Ecualia Capital launched in June 2022 by Bankinter Investment and Plenium Partners focuses on investments in energy transition environmental sustainability and circular economy projects. The fund initially aimed to raise 175 million euros with 1447 million euros already committed across five assets prior to this acquisition.
The fund targets an internal rate of return exceeding 10 per cent supported by high growth potential sectors such as plastic recycling biometano photovoltaic power generation and ferrous waste recycling. Geographically the funds investments are primarily in Spain 46.6 percent France 24.4 percent and Italy 29 percent with Italys share set to increase following the BG Holding acquisition.
Bankinter and Plenium Partners are committed to expanding their biometano portfolio in Italy and plan to pursue further growth opportunities beyond the current transaction reinforcing their leadership in the renewable energy sector and sustainable investment strategies.