VORN Bioenergy expands into Portugal through Prado Energia partnership

VORN Bioenergy has entered into a strategic co-development partnership with Prado Energia to accelerate biomethane project development in Portugal, marking the company's next expansion phase on the Iberian Peninsula following successful projects in Spain.

Under the agreement, Prado Energia will lead project development, leveraging its local market expertise and commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions in Portugal. VORN Bioenergy will contribute technical capabilities and provide project financing throughout the development phase.

Projects co-developed under the partnership will be acquired, constructed and operated by VORN Bioenergy, utilising the company's operational capabilities and long-term commitment to Europe's energy transition.

Initial projects target 67 GWh capacity

The collaboration will commence with two biomethane projects, each with a grid injection capacity of 67 GWh, equivalent to the thermal energy demand of 20,000 households. One project has already received official designation as a Projeto de Potencial Interesse Nacional (PIN), a status expected to streamline the permitting process.

This initial development phase represents an investment in the mid double-digit million euro range and is projected to avoid approximately 75,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

The partnership aims to accelerate Portugal's biomethane sector by combining local insight with international expertise to deliver renewable energy infrastructure aligned with national and EU decarbonisation goals.

Supporting 2 TWh capacity target

Jörg Lennertz, chief executive officer of VORN Bioenergy, said: "We are pursuing an ambitious growth strategy, with a particular focus on the Iberian Peninsula. The partnership now agreed with Prado Energia in Portugal represents a significant step towards our objective of installing 2 TWh of capacity by 2030 and establishing VORN Bioenergy as Europe's leading biomethane platform."

António Farracho, chief executive officer of Prado Energia, commented: "This partnership represents a very significant step for the production of renewable gases in Portugal and consolidates Prado Energia as a reference in the biomethane sector. This recognition is the result of consistent work and reinforces Prado Energia's ambition to continue developing new projects aligned with decarbonisation and sustainability goals."