SUEZ, a global leader in circular solutions for water and waste, is acquiring a 51% controlling stake in ARA Cursus (ARA), a developer and operator of biogas plants based in Poland. The Group thus reinforces its position as a major player in the European market for anaerobic digestion of waste and production of renewable energy from waste
Alongside SUEZ, EIFFEL, through its fund EIFFEL GAZ VERT, which already financed ARA projects, is acquiring a 24.5% stake in ARA. BOURGOGNE, former majority owner of ARA, retains a 24.5% stake in ARA.

ARA, a Polish developer and operator of anaerobic digestion plants has developed a portfolio of 9 agricultural biogas projects in the country, with the support of key technology and project partners. Each project is designed to produce around 1 MW electrical renewable energy, with one project currently in operation. The next group of projects is due to start construction from 2024. The projects also involve the production of digestate as an agricultural fertilizer, and the drying of wood for commercial customers.

SUEZ, along with EIFFEL, financial partners and BOURGOGNE, plans to invest nearly 70 million euros in the construction of the first group of biogas plants and the development of additional biomethane production plants.

Thanks to its expertise and portfolio, ARA is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the promising biomethane market in Poland. The development of biogas production benefits from the support scheme established by the Polish government in 2023. The national biogas production is expected to reach 30 TWh by 2030 and will leverage on the abundant local agricultural waste feedstock.

With the combined production of renewable energy and biofertilisers, ARA’s biogas plants will contribute to Poland’s low-carbon energy transition and circular economy. Each plant will reduce GHG emissions by at least 4,600 tons on an annual basis and will contribute to the sustainable development of communities by generating local direct jobs.

At the European level, the local production of biogas and biomethane contributes both to the decarbonisation and the security of energy supply. The EU has set clear targets to reduce waste to landfill and to scale up the use of renewable energy, including biogas and biomethane, by 2030. Treating the organic fraction of Europe’s waste through anaerobic digestion is key to achieving these goals.

“The acquisition of this controlling stake in ARA is a new step forward in the development of SUEZ in Poland, in line with our strategy to increase the share of our international business by 2027. It further reinforces the network of biogas and biomethane plants already operated by SUEZ in France, in the United Kingdom and Czech Republic. Together with our partners, we are committed to enabling our customers in Poland to drive their ecological transition by increasing waste recovery and local renewable energy production” Yves Rannou , Chief Operating Officer Recycling & Recovery, Executive Vice-President.

Marc-Etienne Mercadier, fund manager of Eiffel Gaz Vert said: “We are thrilled to become shareholder of the platform that we started to finance three years ago. The combined expertise of SUEZ, Eiffel and Bourgogne will allow to position ARA CURSUS as a leading actor of the Polish biogas market. Poland is a promising market on which Eiffel has been positioned since 2018 and will continue to scale up, especially on the renewable gas market. Having opened its representation office in Warsaw last February, Eiffel will continue to leverage on its expertise and its local partners to foster the energy transition in Poland.”

Jean-Luc Zbirou, President of Bourgogne said: “We have been working with Eiffel Investment Group and Eiffel Gaz Vert since 2021 to prepare the first portfolio of projects for construction and to start the early stage development of a second group of projects for biomethane production. As renewable energy project developers and owners we and Eiffel Investment Group realised that a strategic partner would greatly accelerate our timetable and bring expertise to growing our operations quickly and we are very pleased that SUEZ has agreed to join us in this exciting construction and growth phase and we very much look forward to see all of these projects in operation”.