The operation, which reinforces ENSO's commitment to the decarbonization of energy-intensive industrial sectors, has been backed by a consortium of financial institutions led by Banco Santander, next to MUFG, Natixis CIB, Bank of America y Cajamar Group. MUFG has acted as Mandated Lead Arranger, Hedge Provider and lender, and the operation has been coordinated by Santander.
ENSO, an AVEBIOM partner company, ENSO has designed these plants for its customers' self-consumption, which will improve their energy efficiency and reduce their dependence on gas. The two facilities are currently in the greenfield construction phase and are part of a broader strategy by ENSO to offer sustainable energy solutions to industry in the Iberian Peninsula.
«"This operation is the result of the collective effort of the entire ENSO team. Our goal now is to complete the construction of the Solvay and ACOR projects, along with other developments already underway."», he pointed out Elias Hernandez, CEO of the ENSO Group. “We remain fully committed to supplying decarbonized solutions to the main industrial players in the Iberian Peninsula.”.
For their part, Alessandro Valenti, CEO and Chief Financial Officer of Igneo Infrastructure Partners, ENSO's majority shareholder, highlighted that “The financing marks an important milestone in ENSO’s growth strategy to decarbonize the energy demand of its industrial customers.”. Valenti also emphasized the confidence placed in the project by the new financial partners.
From MUFG EMEA, Having participated in two major bioenergy operations in less than a year, the strategic value of this investment is emphasized. Javier García, director of Energy Structured Finance, has stated that “A tailored financial structure has been designed thanks to our experience and knowledge of the local market. We are delighted to support ENSO and Igneo in such an important project.”.
This project aligns with the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC), which recognizes biomass as a pathway for decarbonization of the industrial sector, especially in processes that are difficult to electrify.