Opus advises Future Biogas on its acquisition of biogas assets from JLEN

Category: Deal Announcement

Opus is pleased to have advised Future Biogas, one of the largest anaerobic digestion (“AD”) plant developers and biogas producers in the UK, on its acquisition of a 51% stake in a portfolio of six operational gas-to-grid AD facilities, with a combined gas output of 333GWh, from JLEN Environmental Assets Group Limited (“JLEN”) for £68.1 million. £30 million will be funded by 3i Infrastructure, with the balance funded by Future Biogas from committed debt facilities.

Future Biogas is well-acquainted with these assets, having originally developed five of the six plants and operated each for an average of eight years. As the majority owner, Future Biogas will now have the opportunity to implement investment-led enhancements that the management team has already identified. Since 3i Infrastructure’s investment in Future Biogas in 2023, the company has successfully transitioned from a third-party plant operator to an asset owner and developer, with a pipeline of new sites totalling 1.3TWh.

The transaction adds to the strong track record of Opus’ Energy Transition & Climate Change sector practice in relation to Biogas and CCS, following its advice on the sale of Future Biogas to 3i Infrastructure plc last year.

This represents another market leading transaction and a further example of Opus’ expertise relating to the energy transition. For further information please contact: John McElroy, Richard Morse and Dilesh Patel.