Plenium Partners, an independent Spanish investment group focused on renewable energy, energy transition, circular economy, and social infrastructure, has secured over €25 million in funding from ING Italia to support its first biomethane plant in Italy. The financing was structured through a bilateral Project Finance agreement.
The plant is located in the province of Pavia, in northern Italy’s Lombardy region, and is expected to begin operations in the first quarter of 2026. It is part of a broader platform of four biomethane plants being developed across the country, following an agreement closed in July last year with Aragorn Value Leadership. Each of the planned plants has a capacity of around 500 standard cubic metres per hour.
This initial facility has already taken part in the third biomethane tariff auction organised by GSE, Italy’s renewable energy incentive body. It will process approximately 50,000 tonnes of livestock and agricultural waste annually, contributing to better local waste management. The plant is also among the few in Italy designed for full CO₂ recovery, which means it will have a stronger impact in terms of greenhouse gas emission reductions compared to standard facilities.
A step forward in Italy’s energy transition
The idea for the platform was launched in mid-2024, when Plenium Partners, alongside Aragorn Value Leadership, committed to building and operating four biomethane plants in different regions of Italy, with an investment exceeding €100 million. This was done through Plenium’s Ecualia Capital fund, with the goal of contributing to cleaner energy production and supporting local development.
Founded in Spain in 2007, Plenium Partners has had a presence in Italy since 2010, with an office in Rome and an existing portfolio of more than 35 operational photovoltaic projects. The new financing marks another step in the group’s effort to expand and diversify its investments in Europe. The company plans to continue exploring opportunities in the biomethane sector beyond the current platform.
ING’s role in the financing aligns with its broader commitment to supporting renewable energy projects in Italy and contributing to the global shift towards a low-carbon economy. Through its Growing the Difference strategy, ING aims to mobilise €150 billion in sustainable finance by 2027 and increase its annual renewable energy financing to €7.5 billion by 2025.
Biomethane and its role in Europe
Biomethane is increasingly seen as a relevant renewable energy source in Europe. It helps reduce waste by converting materials like manure, agricultural residues, and food waste into energy, which in turn cuts landfill use and pollution.
These plants can also strengthen rural economies by creating jobs and offering new revenue opportunities to farmers and livestock owners who supply the organic material.
