• A syndicate of banks from the Crédito Agrícola Group finances a circular economy project that will enable the recovery of agri-food by-products. 
• The operation reinforces Capwatt's commitment to innovation, energy transition, and environmental sustainability, and supports the Group's strategy of aligning its funding sources with this commitment. 
• Biomethane production is crucial to reducing reliance on fossil fuels and is one of Capwatt's strategic pillars for the coming years 

Capwatt, a multinational group renowned for its sustainable energy solutions, has successfully concluded a €12.5 million green financing round to develop and build its pioneering biomethane production facility in Portugal. 

“Producing biomethane is essential both to lessen our reliance on fossil fuels and to make use of organic waste, and it stands as one of our strongest strategic pillars. We have a substantial investment plan in renewable energy and fuels infrastructure over the next few years across the regions where we operate. This deal reinforces Capwatt’s innovation-driven, energy-transition and environmental-sustainability commitments, and enables our financing strategy to be fully aligned with those commitments,” says Filipa Nolasco, Chief Financial Officer at Capwatt. 

The facility located in Aljustrel will convert agro-industrial by-products into premium-quality biomethane, aiding the decarbonisation of the energy sector and promoting a circular economy. It will ensure that residues from the AZPO – Azeites de Portugal plant undergo energy recovery, thereby reducing their environmental footprint. The scheme is projected to cut CO₂-equivalent emissions by around 23 000 tonnes per annum, meeting both national and EU climate targets, and to produce 57 GWh of renewable natural gas each year. 

The financing, secured from a syndicate of Crédito Agrícola savings banks, is subject to stringent ESG criteria, demonstrating the robustness and viability of the business case—financially and environmentally—which is crucial for leveraging Capwatt’s wider portfolio. 

Technical advice was provided by G-Advisory, legal counsel by Linklaters, and consulting services by OCA Global Consulting. 

“The confidence shown by the Crédito Agrícola syndicate, together with the expert input of our partners, was instrumental throughout the financing process. Above all, the dedication, expertise and commitment of the Capwatt team were vital in bringing this project to fruition” Filipa Nolasco concludes. 

The project also benefits from a €2.3 million non-repayable grant awarded by Portugal’s Environmental Fund.