News | 19 June 2025
BBVA structures its first biomethane financing in Italy in partnership with Suma Capital
BBVA has structured its first biomethane financing in Italy, supporting a transformative project that will convert seven biogas plants into facilities producing 100% renewable biomethane. The project operates under a regulated scheme that ensures long-term revenue stability. With this pioneering transaction, BBVA Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) strengthens its leadership in sustainable infrastructure financing in Europe and reaffirms its commitment to the energy transition.
The €100 million financing was arranged by BBVA Corporate & Investment Banking under a project finance structure. It will support CH4T, a platform backed by Suma Capital through its investment strategy SC Infra, in the conversion of seven biogas assets into plants producing 100% renewable biomethane. This initiative positions CH4T as a key player in Italy’s biomethane sector and reinforces BBVA’s role as a bank dedicated to sustainability and the financing of solutions driving the transition to a low-carbon economy.
The seven plants, located in Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, and Friuli Venezia Giulia, were acquired by CH4T in 2024 following a comprehensive technical and territorial assessment. Their transformation will enable the direct injection of biomethane into the Italian gas grid under the FiP (Feed-in Premium) system, regulated by Ministerial Decree DM 22/2022, which guarantees stable income for the next 15 years.
“This transaction marks a milestone in our growth and reinforces our role as one of the leading platforms in Italy’s biomethane sector, with a firm commitment to industrial decarbonisation,” stated Stefano Begnini, CEO of CH4T.
“This transaction reflects our commitment to supporting our clients in initiatives that deliver tangible impact, fostering a fair and effective energy transition. We are dedicated to financing technologies that not only reduce emissions and strengthen energy resilience in Europe, but also promote more efficient use of resources and the development of circular economy models,” said Karla Ceño, Executive Director of Project Finance and Cleantech at BBVA CIB.
A further step towards a cleaner energy model
Once the modernisation process is complete, the platform will reach an annual production capacity of over 295 GWh of biomethane, avoiding more than 85,400 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year and recovering 401,865 tonnes of agricultural and livestock by-products.
“We are proud to collaborate with Suma Capital and a platform like CH4T, which combines operational expertise with strategic vision to accelerate the development of sustainable energy solutions. This deal exemplifies the vital role that instruments like project finance can play in mobilising capital towards initiatives with truly transformative impact,” added Karla Ceño.
Ruperto Unzué, Partner at Suma Capital, noted: “CH4T clearly exemplifies our commitment to investing in infrastructure that delivers positive environmental impact and supports regional development. We are particularly proud to rely on the expertise of the CH4T team—well-versed in the biogas sector—and the support of a benchmark financial institution such as BBVA.”
The transaction consolidates BBVA CIB’s position as a leading financial institution in clean energy and underlines its commitment to decarbonising the economy through the promotion of key technologies for the energy transition and a low-carbon future.