Macquarie Asset Management acquires BayWa r.e.’s bioenergy platform

Macquarie Asset Management’s Green Investment Group (GIG) has acquired specialist biogas platform BayWa r.e. Bioenergy, via its Macquarie GIG Energy Transition Solutions fund.
Active across the full asset lifecycle, BayWa r.e. Bioenergy develops, constructs and operates biogas projects that provide biomethane and power to local energy companies, industrial companies and energy traders.
Its existing portfolio comprises five operational plants in Germany and a pipeline of development projects located across Italy. The business’s current operational assets produce a total of approximately 140 GWh of biomethane annually helping avoid 13.16 ktCO₂e of GHG emissions every year.
The investment comes as the European Union looks to rapidly reduce its dependency on imported natural gas. REPowerEU targets the production of 35 billion cubic metres (roughly 350 TWh) of biomethane by 2030.
Meeting this demand is expected to require the construction of 5,000 new biomethane plants across the EU and €80 billion in capital investment. GIG said it intends to use these positive tailwinds to explore opportunities to grow the business’ presence in Germany, Italy and other existing and emerging growth markets in Europe.
It will also seek to use the latest technology processes to enhance the platform – which could include the introduction of carbon capture and CO₂ liquefaction that can be used for food-grade quality CO₂.
Chris Archer, co-head of GIG Europe, said: “There are significant tailwinds in the European biomethane sector driven by the circular economy benefits of treating agricultural waste together with the need to decarbonise sectors which are hard to electrify.
"As a locally produced, direct alternative to fossil fuel-based natural gas, biomethane is an attractive solution for corporate and industrial customers looking to decarbonise. With its track record and deep technical expertise, BayWa r.e. Bioenergy is already a leader in this rapidly growing sector, and we are excited to work with the business’s current partners to support the platform’s continued growth.”