The European Investment Fund (EIF) has committed €200 million to Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) to accelerate the production of biomethane and advanced bioenergy across Europe. The cornerstone investment formally launches CIP’s Advanced Bioenergy Fund II (ABF II), a vehicle targeting a total size of €1.5 billion to enhance continental energy security and support green transition targets.
Backed by the European Union’s InvestEU and REPowerEU initiatives, the fund will focus on developing, constructing and operating new industrial-scale biogas facilities. These plants will rely on anaerobic digestion technology to convert agricultural waste and manure into renewable biomethane. The resulting green gas is intended to help lower carbon emissions in challenging sectors such as maritime transport and heavy industry.
The investment strategy primarily targets greenfield projects in core European markets, with development pipelines planned for Denmark, Spain, Ireland, Belgium and Finland. Because biomethane works within existing gas grids, the fuel is viewed as a practical tool for reducing Europe’s reliance on imported fossil fuels while building up domestic energy autonomy.
The capital injection from the EIF, which is part of the European Investment Bank Group, aims to blend public and private finance to attract further institutional investors. CIP, which has raised more than €37 billion for clean energy infrastructure across more than 30 countries, will manage the new developments through its specialized bioenergy team.
“By supporting the development of new biogas projects across Europe, we are helping increase domestic renewable energy production, strengthen energy security and accelerate the green transition.” said EIF Deputy Chief Executive, Merete Clausen. Clausen noted that the investment reflects Europe’s growing focus on renewable gases and sustainable energy infrastructure.
Thomas Dalsgaard, CIP partner and head of the advanced bioenergy team, said: “We are very pleased to close the investment of €200 million with EIF. It is an important step for the Advanced Bioenergy Fund II on its path towards the EUR 1.5 billion target, and we very much look forward to the partnership with EIF. We see strong market demand for the production of domestic biomethane across Europe and with the Advanced Bioenergy Fund II, and the existing portfolio of greenfield bioenergy projects, CIP is well positioned to deliver.”
