Background

Meridiam has partnered with WAGA Energy, a spin-off of Air Liquide listed on Euronext, specialized in landfill biogas recovery and transformation into purified gas to be injected in the natural gas networks.
Leveraging a technology developed by Air Liquide, WAGA Energy purchases biogas generated by non hazardous waste landfills from a predictable landfill gas source, to purify it and re-inject it in natural gas networks. This sector benefits from public and political support. As set by a decree issued on 27 October 2016, France seeks to inject 8TWh in 2023.
Wagabox is a unique concept that maximizes landfill gas recollection compared to existing solutions. By establishing this partnership, Meridiam is supporting Waga Energy by setting up a robust framework to structure projects and accelerate the roll-out of Wagaboxes.
The first 2 “Wagabox” (60 GWh/year total capacity) financed by Meridiam have been operational since Q1 2020, and a third one since Q4 2022. They represent a
cumulative investment of €6m.

Stage:

In Operation

ESG/SDG Key Facts

The Wagabox units help fight climate change by: (i) capturing landfill gas, a major source of greenhouse gases emissions, and (ii) producing a substitute to fossil-based natural gas. Each Wagabox will allow the substitution of 20GWh of fossil natural gas per year with local biomethane.
This innovative process of biogas valorization is done through an efficient technical approach, proven, secured, and guaranteed by industrial and technology providers. This approach consists of:
• separating the two main components of biogas (methane and carbon dioxide) with polymer membranes;
• separating the oxygen from biomethane through cryogenic distillation using a specific heat exchanger designed by Fives.
By producing biomethane, a carbon-neutral gas, Wagabox is accelerating the energy transition and also contributing to a circular economy as the biomethane is produced by purifying the biogas coming from the decomposition of organic matter such as local agricultural and industrial waste, household waste, and wastewater treatment sludge.

Source:

(1) For all three projects combined