German energy supplier Badenova has announced the sale of two biogas and power plants with a combined annual output of up to 72 GWh to local company Avrio Energie. The move is part of Badenova’s strategy to focus more closely on its core renewable energy operations, reports Renewables Now.
The deal, carried out through subsidiary badenovaWÄRMEPLUS, includes a plant in Eschbach, southwestern Germany, which produces up to 60 GWh of biogas annually. It also covers a facility in Neuried, southern Germany, that generates around 12 GWh of electricity each year through four combined heat and power units. The Neuried site is set to be converted to biomethane production in the future.
Badenova said the sale will allow it to channel more investment into wind, solar, geothermal energy, and green district heating projects. The company has set a target of building 1 GW of renewable capacity as part of its plan to become climate-neutral by 2035. This includes installing at least 400 MW of regional wind capacity, about 300 MW of regional solar and storage systems, and another 300 MW from supraregional projects.
For Avrio Energie, the acquisition marks a major expansion. The purchase will double its biomethane production capacity to over 200 GWh per year. The company will also take over existing staff at the two sites and intends to modernize the facilities to improve efficiency. Currently, Avrio operates two plants in the German state of Thuringia.
Even after the transfer, Badenova will continue to use the biomethane produced at the plants to supply its combined heat and power units as well as its district heating customers.
