SUEZ buys 51% stake in Polish biogas player ARA Cursus

Recycling industry giant SUEZ has acquired a 51% controlling stake in ARA Cursus (ARA), a developer and operator of biogas plants based in Poland.

SUES says that with this acquisition, it reinforces its position as a major player in the European market for anaerobic digestion of waste and production of renewable energy (biogas) from waste.

Alongside SUEZ, EIFFEL is also 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 Poland, 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 EUR 70 million in the construction of the first group of biogas plants and the development of additional biomethane production plants.

As per the Polish Government, 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.

Yves Rannou, COO & EVP of SUEZ, held “It (the acquisition) 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.”