Goldman Sachs Asset Management to Launch Verdalia Bioenergy with the Aim to Invest in Excess of €1 Billion in the European Biomethane Sector
London / Madrid – 6 February 2023 – Goldman Sachs Asset Management, through its infrastructure investing business has established Verdalia Bioenergy, a new business focused on developing, acquiring, building and operating biomethane plants across Europe. The investment will aim to contribute to Europe’s decarbonization and energy security agenda, adding significant biomethane production capacity.
Verdalia Bioenergy will be looking to invest in both early-stage development projects and larger operational assets. The Company has already signed its first agreement to purchase, subject to regulatory approval, a portfolio of biomethane projects in mid-stage development in Spain, with total capacity of c. 150 GWh/year. To lead Verdalia Bioenergy, Goldman Sachs Asset Management has partnered with Fernando Bergasa and Cristina Avila, who have a strong track record of value creation and operational excellence in the natural gas sector. Under their leadership, Verdalia Bioenergy aims to become a leading biomethane operator, starting from Spain and subsequently expanding across Europe, and to deploy in excess of €1 billion over the next 4 years.
Biomethane is a negative or low carbon natural gas produced through the anaerobic digestion of organic waste. As a result, it is an effective tool to accelerate decarbonization: it provides the benefits of fossil natural gas without its carbon emissions, while leveraging the large gas infrastructure already in place. The environmental benefits of biomethane are amplified as it prevents methane emissions that could otherwise be released into the atmosphere from the decomposition of organic waste1.
According to the European Biogas Association, the current production of biogas and biomethane has already created more than 210,000 green jobs in Europe and is saving 60 million tons of GHG emissions2 (CO2 equivalent) every year, comparable to the annual GHG emissions of Sweden. As such, the sector is set to play a critical role in achieving net zero targets and energy independence. The target set by the EU of 370 TWh of biomethane production by 2030, c.10x today’s production, is expected to require investments of ~€80 billion3. In Spain for instance, Sedigas estimates a biomethane production potential of 163 TWh/year, which could cover as much as 45% of today’s national demand for natural gas4 and a higher share in the future.
Goldman Sachs Asset Management has made numerous landmark energy transition investments including the creation of Japan Renewable Energy (“JRE”), one of the largest Japanese renewables businesses, to address the shift in Japan’s energy policy. The European biomethane market is going through a similar structural change driven by the strong secular trends of decarbonization, circular economy and energy independence.
Tavis Cannell, Global Co-Head of Infrastructure within Goldman Sachs Asset Management, said: “Goldman Sachs Asset Management has a long history of creating and building scaled players within the green energy space. We are excited to contribute to the energy transition bringing much needed biomethane supply to Europe, which will support the continent’s decarbonization and energy security agenda.”
Matteo Botto Poala, Managing Director in the Infrastructure business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management, added: “We believe that biomethane is today one of the most compelling segments in the energy transition for infrastructure investors and look forward to the partnership with Fernando and Cristina on this exciting investment.”
Fernando Bergasa, Executive Chairman of Verdalia Bioenergy, said: “We are excited to work with Goldman Sachs Asset Management on this journey and benefit from their investment experience. Renewable gas will be a key tool for Europe to achieve its commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050. We are looking to acquire mid- to late-stage development projects and operational assets across Europe as we pursue our vision of developing Verdalia Bioenergy into a leading European player in the biomethane industry.”
About Goldman Sachs Asset Management Infrastructure
Bringing together traditional and alternative investments, Goldman Sachs Asset Management provides clients around the world with a dedicated partnership and focus on long-term performance. As the primary investing area within Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), we deliver investment and advisory services for the world’s leading institutions, financial advisors and individuals, drawing from our deeply connected global network and tailored expert insights, across every region and market—overseeing more than $2 trillion in assets under supervision worldwide as of December 31, 2022. Driven by a passion for our clients’ performance, we seek to build long-term relationships based on conviction, sustainable outcomes, and shared success over time. Goldman Sachs Asset Management invests in the full spectrum of alternatives, including private equity, growth equity, private credit, real estate, and infrastructure.
Established in 2006, the Infrastructure business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management has consistently navigated the evolving infrastructure asset class, having invested approximately $15 billion across market cycles since its inception. We partner with experienced operators and management teams across multiple sectors, including digital infrastructure, energy transition, transportation & logistics and essential services.
Media Contacts
Goldman Sachs
Joseph Stein
Tel: +44 (20) 7774 4080
Dedalo Comunicacion
Andy Hazell
Tel: +34 (91) 131 9570
Verdalia Bioenergy
Email: info@verdaliabio.com
Tel: +34 (91) 181 2086
1Source: European Biogas Association, https://www.europeanbiogas.eu/about-biogas-and-biomethane/
2Source: European Biogas Association, https://www.europeanbiogas.eu/
3Source: European Biogas Association (March 2022), https://www.europeanbiogas.eu/commission-announces-groundbreaking-biomethane-target-repowereu-to-cut-dependence-on-russian-gas/
4Source: Sedigas (January 2023), https://www.sedigas.es/new/comunicado-articulo/sedigas-presenta-el-estudio-de-la-capacidad-de-produccion-de-biometano-en-espana-2023