Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has announced plans to acquire and expand a combined pre-treatment and biogas plant in Northwich, marking the firm’s entry into the UK bioenergy market. The site was originally put up for sale by Danish renewable energy company Ørsted in 2023, reports insidermedia.
CIP, through its CI Advanced Bioenergy Fund I (CI ABF I), has made a final investment decision to purchase the facility from Ørsted. The existing site includes a pre-treatment facility for municipal solid waste and a biogas plant that currently generates electricity for the grid.
Pending necessary permits, CIP intends to refurbish and convert the facility into a dedicated biogas plant, expanding it with a new digester, biomethane upgrading units, and CO₂ capture technology. These upgrades will enable the plant to produce biomethane and liquid biogenic CO₂.
Construction on the expansion is expected to begin in 2026, with the upgraded facility projected to become operational by 2028. Once complete, the plant will be capable of processing over 170,000 tonnes of feedstock annually.
Andreas Brandt, partner at CIP, said the acquisition represents a significant step for the firm’s bioenergy investments in Europe.
“We are excited to enter the UK bioenergy market with this first acquisition. The biogas plant in Northwich strengthens our position in the European biogas sector and represents a key milestone for our fund and investors,” Brandt said.
He added that the upgraded facility will “make a meaningful contribution to local energy security while driving growth and job creation,” and emphasized CIP’s commitment to working closely with the local community and authorities.
Ørsted, when putting the site up for sale, stated that waste treatment no longer aligns with its business model and strategic focus, prompting its decision to divest the asset.
