Anaergia & Techbau to Build 5 Biomethane Plants in Italy
Anaergia Inc. (“Anaergia”, the “Company”, “us”, or “our”), through its subsidiary Anaergia S.r.l., has reached a major milestone in its European expansion efforts by finalizing a contract with Techbau S.p.A. (“Techbau”) for the construction of five state-of-the-art biomethane plants across Southern Italy. Techbau, a premier Italian engineering and construction firm known for its expertise in large-scale infrastructure projects, will serve as the general contractor responsible for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) aspects of these facilities. Meanwhile, Anaergia S.r.l. will provide advanced equipment and technology essential for the biomethane production process.
A Major Step Towards Renewable Energy Expansion in Italy
This agreement, officially announced on January 14, 2025, follows a previously disclosed Binding Agreement between Anaergia and Techbau, cementing the commitment to delivering these essential renewable energy facilities. The project represents a significant stride in Italy’s ongoing efforts to enhance its renewable energy capacity and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. By leveraging Anaergia’s cutting-edge anaerobic digestion technologies, these plants will convert agricultural and food processing waste into renewable biomethane, supporting Italy’s national sustainability objectives and broader European Union (EU) climate targets.
Italy has set ambitious goals to decarbonize its energy sector, particularly by increasing the production and utilization of renewable gases such as biomethane. This project aligns closely with the Italian government’s policies and the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive, which calls for a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a significant boost in sustainable energy production. The deployment of these biomethane facilities not only contributes to these environmental goals but also enhances energy security by diversifying the country’s gas supply sources.
Project Scope and Expected Impact
The five biomethane plants covered under this contract will be strategically distributed across Southern Italy, a region with strong agricultural activity and significant potential for organic waste utilization. Each facility will have the capacity to process over 90,000 tons of feedstock annually, collectively handling approximately 450,000 tons of organic waste per year. The processed waste will be converted into biomethane, a clean and renewable alternative to fossil-based natural gas.
The combined annual biomethane production from these facilities is expected to reach approximately 234,000 MWh. This volume of renewable gas will be injected directly into Italy’s national gas grid, reinforcing the country’s ability to integrate more sustainable energy sources into its existing infrastructure. By mid-2026, when all five plants are expected to be fully operational, they will provide a substantial contribution to Italy’s energy transition efforts while helping to mitigate waste-related environmental issues.
Anaergia anticipates significant financial returns from this initiative, with revenue recognition exceeding C$27 million. This contract further strengthens Anaergia’s footprint in the European renewable energy sector, positioning the company as a key player in the biomethane industry.
The Technology Behind Anaergia’s Biomethane Facilities
At the core of this project is Anaergia’s proprietary anaerobic digestion technology, which has been successfully deployed in multiple facilities worldwide. Anaerobic digestion is a biological process in which microorganisms break down organic material in an oxygen-free environment, producing biogas as a byproduct. This biogas, primarily composed of methane and carbon dioxide, is then upgraded to biomethane by removing impurities such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and moisture.
The biomethane purification process ensures that the final product meets the required quality standards for injection into the national gas grid, making it a viable substitute for conventional natural gas. Anaergia’s technology is recognized for its efficiency, reliability, and ability to maximize energy recovery from organic waste streams. By integrating advanced automation and process optimization, the company’s systems enhance the overall performance of biomethane production, making it both economically and environmentally sustainable.
Additionally, these facilities will incorporate advanced odor control measures and emissions reduction strategies, ensuring minimal environmental impact while maintaining compliance with stringent European environmental regulations. By converting organic waste into a valuable energy source, the project also contributes to circular economy principles by reducing landfill waste and lowering methane emissions from untreated organic material.
Strengthening Collaboration with Techbau
Techbau S.p.A. has a well-established reputation in Italy’s infrastructure sector, with a strong portfolio of projects spanning energy, transportation, and industrial construction. Their role as the general contractor for this project involves overseeing all aspects of engineering, procurement, and construction, ensuring that the facilities are built to the highest industry standards. The partnership between Anaergia and Techbau underscores the growing synergy between technology providers and construction firms in advancing clean energy solutions.
Commenting on the partnership, Assaf Onn, CEO of Anaergia, stated, “Over the years, Anaergia has developed a unique combination of experience and expertise, enabling us to effectively meet our clients’ needs within efficient timeframes. This contract to provide Anaergia’s proprietary technologies—proven in biomethane facilities around the world—for five facilities for Techbau marks a significant milestone in Italy’s progress toward its sustainability goals.”
This collaboration highlights the increasing importance of integrating technological innovation with infrastructure expertise to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy projects. By combining Anaergia’s technical leadership in anaerobic digestion with Techbau’s engineering and construction capabilities, the project is poised for successful execution and long-term operational efficiency.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
Beyond its direct impact on Italy’s renewable energy capacity, this project is expected to deliver significant economic and environmental benefits. By transforming agricultural and food processing waste into clean energy, these facilities will help reduce the country’s reliance on imported natural gas, thereby enhancing energy security and stabilizing energy prices.
From an environmental perspective, biomethane production offers a powerful solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The anaerobic digestion process prevents methane emissions from decomposing organic waste, which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. Given that methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential significantly higher than carbon dioxide, capturing and utilizing it as a renewable energy source is an effective strategy for climate change mitigation.
Moreover, the project will support local economies by creating job opportunities in construction, operations, and maintenance. The development of these biomethane plants is expected to generate employment in engineering, technical support, and administrative roles, contributing to regional economic growth.
A Forward-Looking Initiative for Italy’s Energy Future
The finalization of this contract between Anaergia and Techbau marks a pivotal step in advancing Italy’s renewable energy ambitions. By harnessing the power of anaerobic digestion to produce biomethane, the project not only supports Italy’s sustainability objectives but also strengthens Anaergia’s position as a leader in global clean energy solutions.
As the world moves towards a low-carbon future, investments in biomethane and other renewable gases will play a crucial role in reshaping energy landscapes. Anaergia’s commitment to innovation, coupled with Techbau’s expertise in infrastructure development, ensures that this project will serve as a model for future renewable energy initiatives in Italy and beyond. With construction set to commence soon and completion expected by mid-2026, this initiative represents a significant leap forward in Italy’s transition to a greener, more sustainable energy system.
