Last month, Vauban Infrastructure Partners - through Core Infrastructure Fund IV SCSp and Core Infrastructure Fund IV SCA SICAV RAIF (together “CIF IV”) - closed the acquisition of a majority stake in the Wijster companies.
The companies are Green Create W2V Europe BV and its wholly owned subsidiary Green Create Wijster B.V., paving the way for a long-term partnership in the biomethane sector.
The Wijster plant, located in the Netherlands, is one of Europe’s largest biomethane production plants with a current biomethane installed capacity of 237 GWh/year to be injected in the Dutch grid.
The plant is an anaerobic digestion plant designed to process primarily poulstry manure, with ability to operate with diversified feedstock such as organic waste.
The Wijster plant has been operating since 2022, and the project encompasses two planned extensions.
Through these scheduled expansions, the Wijster plant will have a total capacity of c. 554 GWh.
Biomethane assets are set for substantial growth in the coming years, aligning with European public policy objectives.
This sector benefits from robust dynamics and strong regulatory support across Europe due to its significant positive externalities, including CO2 emission reduction and the provision of a sovereign, reliable, and storable energy source.
This investment also enhances Vauban’s investment footprint by marking its first direct investment into the Netherlands, a core Western European market with a solid regulatory framework.
It is above all a prime location for biomethane development as it benefits from an unparalleled agriculture production intensity and a national framework supportive for biomethane.
Unlike typical smaller scale methanisation plants that rely primarily on agricultural waste for biogas production, the Wijster plant sources primarily poultry manure through long term contracts from over 100 local farmers within a one-hour distance radius.
By producing biomethane from poultry manure, the Wijster plant significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuel alternatives.
The biomethane production process from poultry manure feedstock, boasts a negative carbon intensity of -c.100kg CO2/GJ1, enabling substantially higher emissions reduction compared to other types of feedstocks, said the company.
Gwenola Chambon and Mounir Corm, founding partners of Vauban Infrastructure Partners, commented: "CIF IV's investment in the Wijster companies is a testament to Vauban Infrastructure Partners' commitment to sustainable energy leadership in Europe. The Wijster plant demonstrates our strategic investment focus, perfectly aligned with our mission to drive the energy transition. Teaming up with Green Create positions us to significantly boost biomethane production, playing a crucial role n meeting the Netherlands and Europeans' ambitious energy goals. This transaction underscores Vauban's role in delivering meaningful environmental impact and sustainable growth in the biogas sector."
Vauban Infrastructure Partners acquires majority stake in major Dutch biomethane production asset
