The European Investment Fund (EIF), integrated into the European Investment Bank (EIB), has committed an investment of 200 million euros in the manager Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) with the aim of accelerating the development of biogas projects in several European countries, among which Spain is included.
This capital injection will be aimed at expanding the production of biomethane and advanced bioenergy on the continent, with the goal of advancing the energy transition and strengthening supply security. The resources will be channeled through CIP's Advanced Bioenergy Fund II (ABF II) vehicle, which will focus primarily on the promotion, construction, and operation of industrial biogas plants.
The planned facilities will utilize raw materials such as manure and other agricultural waste to transform them into biomethane, which will allow for the reduction of emissions in energy-intensive sectors, such as certain industrial branches and maritime transport. The fund's roadmap focuses mainly on greenfield projects in countries such as Denmark, Ireland, Spain, Belgium, and Finland.
After successfully completing the first ABF fund, the manager has launched this second vehicle with the purpose of accelerating the deployment of biogas and biomethane infrastructures in Europe. This confirms the growing support from investors for advanced bioenergy as a key piece for the energy transition, the strengthening of energy security, and the fulfillment of European decarbonization objectives.
The new fund will structure a differentiated portfolio of projects that are already prepared for development, with the intention of providing greater visibility on capital allocation and investment execution. The firm emphasizes that biomethane is fully compatible with existing gas networks and is called to play a relevant role in strengthening the energy security and strategic autonomy of the European Union.
"This investment reflects Europe's growing focus on renewable gases and sustainable energy infrastructures. By supporting the development of new biogas projects across Europe, we contribute to increasing domestic renewable energy production, strengthening energy security, and accelerating the green transition," said the EIF Deputy Chief Executive, Merete Clausen.
"We are pleased to close the 200 million euro investment with the EIF. (...) We observe strong market demand for domestic biomethane production in Europe and, with ABF II and the existing portfolio of greenfield bioenergy projects, CIP is well positioned to meet these objectives," highlighted the head of CIP's advanced bioenergy team, Thomas Dalsgaard.