Biomethane, Verdalia’s European venture: expansion, innovation and new investments

Biomethane is establishing itself as one of the key technologies for the European energy transition, as the REPowerEU plan aims to boost annual production to 35 billion cubic metres by 2030. It is in this context that Verdalia Bioenergy operates, gaining recognition as one of Europe’s leading players in the biomethane sector through an ambitious growth plan currently focused on Spain and Italy.

Founded in 2023 by Fernando Bergasa and Cristina Ávila with the support of Goldman Sachs, the company has rapidly established a significant presence through strategic acquisitions and new development projects. Today, it employs around 150 professionals, operates 13 plants and has a development pipeline targeting 3 TWh of annual generation capacity, equivalent to the energy consumption of almost one million people.
With an investment plan exceeding one billion euros, Verdalia intends to accelerate the development, construction and operation of new plants, leveraging partnerships with EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contractors, long-term agreements for the supply of biomass and long-term contracts for the sale of renewable gas and bio-CO₂, as well as the sale of bio-fertiliser.

<<The logic guiding our growth strategy in Europe is to build a leading platform in the biomethane sector, capable of combining industrial strength, a positive environmental impact and the creation of shared value>> emphasises Matteo Grandi, Country Manager for Italy. <<We operate across the entire value chain to transform organic resources into renewable energy and high value-added products, contributing to the decarbonisation of the economy and the development of a truly circular model.>>
This development received a boost in October 2025 with a €671 million corporate loan from a syndicate of international banks and funds, the largest ever secured in Europe within the biomethane sector. The transaction was designed to ensure operational flexibility and to facilitate both the construction of new plants and potential strategic acquisitions over the next four years.


 

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Expansion from Spain to Italy
The first major transaction dates back to March 2023, when Verdalia acquired projects in Spain with an estimated capacity of around 150 GWh of biomethane per year, as the first part of a portfolio in continuous development, resulting in the company now having a presence in ten Spanish autonomous communities with projects under development or under construction. After consolidating its operations in Spain, Verdalia began its expansion into Italy, with a particular focus on the northern regions.

In July 2024, it acquired seven biomethane plants already in operation in the province of Brescia, with a total production capacity of around 190 GWh per year. These plants, which process around 350,000 tonnes of agricultural and livestock-derived raw materials each year, are currently undergoing a major expansion programme due to be completed in December 2026, which will increase their production capacity from 300 to 500 Sm³/h.
In November 2024, Verdalia also acquired six new greenfield projects in northern Italy. Of these, four were completed and became operational in the early months of 2026, while the other two are currently at an advanced stage of construction. With an estimated total production capacity of 280 GWh per year, these plants will prevent the emission of over 87,000 tonnes of CO₂ into the atmosphere annually, contributing significantly to the energy transition and the decarbonisation of the region.

<<In Italy, we are successfully implementing a development plan that is transforming a pipeline of projects into an operational and continuously expanding industrial platform, confirming our ability to develop and bring strategic assets online within the planned time frames,>> continues Matteo Grandi. <<This initiative is accompanied by a significant programme of organic and inorganic growth of the project pipeline, aimed at making a concrete contribution to achieving the national 2030 targets.>>

Among the most significant transactions of 2025 is the long-term agreement signed with Edison for the off-take of the entire biomethane production from Verdalia’s seven plants in the province of Brescia. The agreement covers approximately 14 million cubic metres of renewable gas per year, intended for the transport sector and produced from the processing of around 350,000 tonnes of livestock manure and agricultural by-products annually. In addition to purchasing the biomethane, Edison will supply the electricity and gas necessary for the plants’ operation, contributing to the integrated management of the energy supply chain. The agreement, lasting up to ten years, represents a strategic milestone for both companies and supports Verdalia’s growth plan, which aims to increase the production capacity of the Brescia plants by around 50% thanks to new investments.



Not just biomethane: biofertilisers and biogenic CO₂
Verdalia’s approach is not, however, restricted to the production of biomethane; rather, it seeks to maximise the value of every stage of the process. From the digestate obtained from selected agricultural and livestock-based organic feedstocks, a biofertiliser rich in stable organic matter is produced, which can improve soil structure, increase its water-holding capacity and promote microbiological fertility. Thanks to controlled stabilisation processes, the final product is free from pathogens and impurities and can be used in agriculture, horticulture and renaturalisation projects: a practical example of the circular economy, in which organic waste is returned to the soil in the form of new fertility.

Biogenic CO₂ is also produced during anaerobic digestion, which can subsequently be separated from the methane and purified. Unlike carbon dioxide of fossil origin, this carbon dioxide forms part of the natural carbon cycle and can be used in sectors such as the food industry (for example, for food preservation or the production of beverages) and greenhouse agriculture, or as a component in the production of e-fuels and in methanation processes to further increase biomethane production. In this case too, the approach is based on maximising the use of resources: every component of the process is recovered and reused, reducing overall emissions and increasing the efficiency of the supply chain.

 

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Digital innovation and shared value
To support the production process, Verdalia Bioenergy uses digital monitoring and control systems, advanced sensors and artificial intelligence tools to optimise biomass management and ensure increasingly efficient and safe plants. The aim is to improve energy efficiency, enhance operational safety and guarantee high environmental standards through continuous investment in research, innovation and technological development.
Lastly, a key focus is on developing a supply chain capable of generating economic, environmental and social benefits for the various stakeholders in the local areas where it operates. While farmers and livestock breeders can transform waste and by-products into an economic resource through long-term agreements, with traceable collection systems and quality and biosafety protocols, businesses have access to new solutions for decarbonisation, and local areas benefit from the revitalisation of rural areas, job creation and investments designed to minimise environmental impacts and foster dialogue with communities.

A look to the future
Looking ahead, <<after a 2025 focused on bringing the Italian plants up to full capacity and commencing construction on the assets acquired and developed in 2023 and 2024, 2026 will mark an acceleration on all fronts: from the completion of the ramp-up in Italy to progress on the construction phase in Spain, with the first injection of biomethane into the grid expected in 2027,>> concludes Matteo Grandi. <<At the same time, we are continuing to pursue our growth strategy through the organic development of our portfolio and the exploration of acquisition opportunities.>>
In addition to the countries in which Verdalia is already present, the company constantly analyses opportunities for development and expansion into new European markets: <<We are looking closely at the opportunities the market offers and carefully evaluating initiatives and project portfolios that can contribute to sustainable long-term growth. Our approach combines ambition and discipline: we aim to capitalise on the best investment opportunities, while always maintaining high-quality standards and a rigorous allocation of capital to create lasting value for all our stakeholders.>>

See you at Ecomondo 2026
Visitors at Ecomondo 2026 will have the opportunity to learn more about Verdalia’s strategy at stand 210 – HALL B5: in this space, designed to offer an engaging and bespoke experience, visitors will be able to gain an in-depth insight into all the projects developed by the company.
Article written by Maria Carla Rota


This blog is a joint project by Ecomondo and Renewable Matter