TAGES Helios Net Zero Completes First Investment in Biomethane Production

Tages Capital SGR, an asset manager specializing in alternative investment funds and recognized as the second-largest photovoltaic operator in Italy, has announced the completion of its acquisition of a portfolio consisting of four biogas production plants. These facilities are set to be converted into biomethane production plants by 2026. This investment represents the first foray into biomethane for the Tages Helios Net Zero fund, which has recently closed with a total of €375 million, predominantly sourced from institutional investors.

The newly acquired portfolio includes four operational plants located near Pavia and Cremona, specifically in the municipalities of Genivolta, Tromello, and Dorno, boasting a combined capacity of approximately 4 MW. Each plant is anticipated to produce around 300 standard cubic meters per hour (Smc/h) of biomethane, which will enable the entire portfolio to generate over 2 million Smc of biomethane annually once fully operational.

The biomethane will be produced through the processing of livestock waste and agricultural by-products that are not suitable for human consumption. This includes manure from pigs, cattle, and poultry, along with triticale, wheat bran, grains, and silage obtained from local farms, thereby ensuring a nearly zero-kilometre supply chain. The anaerobic digestion of these materials will yield digestate, which can be utilized as a natural fertilizer.

Umberto Quadrino, Chairman of Tages S.p.A. and Chief Investment Officer of Tages Capital SGR, highlighted that unlike other renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, which experience intermittent production due to natural factors, biomethane can be employed in various applications, including electricity generation. This makes biomethane a programmable renewable source, as its availability can be controlled and adjusted based on demand. Additionally, biomethane is a flexible resource, as it can be injected into the same grid that serves natural gas.

Quadrino expressed the company’s commitment to pursuing further investments to develop an industrial-scale portfolio that aligns with the strategic goals of the Tages Helios Net Zero fund.

Tages Capital SGR has established itself as a key player in the renewable energy market, recognized by the financial community for attracting institutional investors and private banking networks due to its attractive risk-return profile and generally semi-annual distributions. The firm aims to play an active role in facilitating the energy transition. Prior to this biomethane acquisition, the company had also invested in iPlanet, a joint venture focused on deploying ultra-fast electric charging stations at over 500 service areas throughout Italy, with additional initiatives currently in development.