Axpo expands biomethane activities in Italy

18.12.2024 - Axpo has agreed to purchase additional biomethane projects in Italy, it was announced today. Located in Sicily, the plants will each produce approximately 45 GWh of renewable energy a year and commence operations in the second half of 2026. Construction of the facilities will begin in early 2025. The announcement underlines Axpo’s commitment to biomethane production in the country following the company’s entry to the Italian market in September 2024.

The transaction was closed mid-December 2024, with parties agreeing not to disclose details of the sale price. One plant will be built on the west coast of Sicily, in Mazara del Vallo, and another in Paternò, near the eastern city of Catania. Atzwanger SpA, in collaboration with BiHcon, has already been selected as engineering, procurement and building contractor and will begin construction of the plants in January 2025. The plants will mainly use agricultural waste from neighbouring farms and local businesses to produce carbon-neutral green gas. This will then be fed into Italy’s national gas network, contributing to the country’s energy needs and supporting decarbonisation.

Axpo Head of Biogas International Véronique Abrate said: “Axpo is pursuing an ambitious business growth strategy for biogas across Europe and we’re making great progress. After announcing projects in Portugal, Italy and Poland earlier this year, these are our fourth and fifth new plants, which will contribute to progressing the energy transition.” 

Axpo Italia President Salvatore Pinto added: “Innovative energy technologies such as biomethane are key to accelerating the energy transition. Biomethane production enables the creation of new economic opportunities in local areas, boosts employment and supports agricultural businesses. These projects highlight Axpo Group’s growth strategy in the sector which once again sees Italy playing a leading role”.

Axpo has extensive experience operating biomass and biogas facilities. In Switzerland, it is the leading company in the dry fermentation of organic waste, with 15 biogas plants producing renewable energy and nutrient-rich natural fertilisers. 

Elsewhere in Europe, Axpo is also pioneering the development of biogas facilities. In Spain, the Torre Santamaría biomethane plant currently injects 26 gigawatt hours of biomethane into the gas grid every year and plans to more than quadruple its annual biomethane production to 115 GWh. In April 2024, Axpo entered the biomethane market in Portugal with the launch of a 15 GWh project due to begin operations by the end of 2025. In Autumn 2024 Axpo also entered the biomethane markets in Italy and Poland.