Burges Salmon acts for ENGIE on second UK-based biomethane acquisition in six months
The firm’s Corporate and M&A team has advised leading multinational utility company ENGIE as it strengthens its presence in the UK biomethane market
Independent UK law firm Burges Salmon has advised ENGIE, the French multinational utility company committed to accelerating the transition towards a carbon-neutral world, on its acquisition of the award-winning and innovative Rainbarrow Farm, a facility with anaerobic digestion (AD) capabilities and the process through which biomethane is created. With an annual operational capacity of 57 GWh, the Rainbarrow Farm has been providing renewable energy to local communities and businesses in Dorchester and across Dorset and is a perfect example of how a circular economy can be created through biomethane.
The acquisition adds to ENGIE’s growing portfolio of AD plants in the UK and supports its ambitions in the renewable gas industry. This is the company’s second UK-based biogas acquisition completed by Burges Salmon in the space of six months, following the £64.8 million acquisition of Ixora Energy Ltd in September 2023.
The Burges Salmon team advising on the transaction was, once again, led by Edinburgh-based partner Danny Lee and associate Nikoletta Zinonos from the firm’s Corporate and M&A group, with support from Euan Bremner, Shalini Sykes and Claire Batty (Real Estate) and Nick Churchward and Greg Fearn (Projects).
Danny Lee comments: “It has been a pleasure working again with ENGIE as it completes its second UK-based biomethane acquisition in the space of only a few months, accelerating its development in the fast-growing UK market and consolidating its renewable gas portfolio. Both acquisitions signal an attractiveness in the market for clean biogas as an important natural resource to decarbonise parts of the energy system that low-carbon electricity alone cannot reach.”
Stuart Rennie, Managing Director of ENGIE Renewable Gases UK, a subsidiary of the ENGIE group, adds: “This acquisition is another important step in the expansion of our renewable gas portfolio in the fast-growing UK market. Rainbarrow Farm AD is providing the community with much-needed renewable energy, and is contributing to the country’s energy transition and its energy sovereignty. Having worked with Burges Salmon on our acquisition of Ixora Energy, we were impressed by the firm’s excellent understanding of the biogas market and the team’s ability to spot, manage and resolve complex issues quickly. We’re grateful for their support and guidance as we pursue our expansion plans in the UK and across Europe.”
Burges Salmon’s leading Corporate practice advises domestic and international clients, particularly in the energy, healthcare, life sciences, technology and financial services sectors. The firm has over 20 years’ experience advising on renewable energy projects and is widely regarded as one of the sector’s leading firms.
