Sustainable Development Capital LLP (“SDCL”) and Carbon AMS today announces the closing of an investment to finance the construction of a biomethane production facility (the “Project”) in Duleek, County Meath, Ireland. The SDCL managed €650 million Global Energy Transition Fund (“GETF”) will provide the capital investment needed to deliver the 40 GWh p.a. facility that will produce and sell renewable energy to Alexion, as well as supporting the decarbonisation of Ireland’s gas grid and benefitting local agricultural communities.

The new facility is planned to be the most advanced AI-controlled biomethane production facility in the world, leveraging a strategic relationship with the founders of rhobot.ai and their work with Siemens to deploy edge-native AI, virtual sensors, and intelligent agents purpose built to maximise sustainability, efficiency and performance for biomethane production.

 

SDCL & Carbon AMS Partnership

SDCL and Carbon AMS will both be shareholders in the project, with Carbon AMS also playing a central role in managing the construction and operational phases of the Duleek facility.

SDCL’s investment establishes an additional €100m strategic partnership between SDCL and Carbon AMS, positioning both organisations to accelerate Ireland’s biomethane sector growth. SDCL will fund Carbon AMS projects on reaching ‘ready-to-build’ stage, creating a pipeline of high-quality biomethane facilities across Ireland. By combining SDCL’s clean energy financing and delivery expertise with Carbon AMS’s specialist development capabilities, the partnership creates a scalable platform to support Ireland’s renewable gas and decarbonisation goals.

 

Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease Partnership

The Project has secured a key cornerstone offtake contract through a 15-year partnership with Alexion Pharmaceuticals, part of AstraZeneca plc. This will enable Alexion to transition 100 per cent of its industrial heating needs to biomethane at its Dublin and Athlone facilities, to power the research, development and manufacturing of its medicines. The partnership marks an important step in Alexion’s journey to be Carbon negative across the entire value chain by 2030.

 

New income stream for farmers

The Project will source locally produced feedstocks from farmers, offering an alternative income stream for farmers. The successful completion of this project is underpinned by the involvement of Brugha Duffy and Donal Hartford, whose land has provided the foundation for this groundbreaking facility.

Key takeaways of the Project for the farming community:

• Creates local employment both directly and indirectly
• Produces 45,000 tonnes of biofertiliser annually
• Removes 21,523 tonnes of CO₂ annually through biomethane use
• Captures 7,990 tonnes of carbon emissions per year

 

€200m investment in 10 AD plants

The Duleek facility marks the first of 10 planned AD sites for Carbon AMS in the Republic of Ireland which will entail a planned spend of €200 million in the coming years. This will ensure a greener future where agriculture can thrive, and Ireland can meet their national Targets by 2030.

 

Spokespeople statements on the announcement

Jonathan Maxwell, Founder and CEO of SDCL, said: “Our investment in the Duleek Project reflects SDCL’s commitment to accelerating the decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries through practical, scalable clean energy solutions. This project will deliver renewable biomethane directly to one of Ireland’s leading pharmaceutical companies, demonstrating how collaboration between investors, developers, and corporates can drive meaningful progress toward net zero. We’re proud to partner with CarbonAMS and Alexion to help build Ireland’s biomethane capacity and strengthen the resilience of its energy system.”

 

Richard Kennedy, Founder and CEO of Carbon AMS, said: “We are thrilled to partner with SDCL and Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, on our shared vision for a sustainable future. This agreement is a game-changer for the Irish agri biomethane sector, demonstrating the significant potential for indigenous, renewable gas production. The Duleek facility will not only provide Alexion with a reliable source of clean heat but also support local agriculture and contribute to Ireland’s energy independence.”

 

Commenting on the benefits for local farmers and landowners, Brugha Duffy said: “We are very excited to see construction underway in Duleek. As landowners, it’s incredibly rewarding to see sustainable progress that not only benefits the environment but also supports our community’s future. This project represents a positive step forward, combining innovation with responsible land use to create lasting benefits for generations to come.”

 

Media Enquiries for SDCL:

Cardew Group (PR Adviser)

E: sdcl@cardewgroup.com

T: +44 (0) 20 7930 0777

Henry Crane   M: +44 (0) 7918 207157

Louis O’Brien  M: +44 (0) 7467 990410

 

Media enquiries for Carbon AMS:

E: jamieleonard@ifac.ie

T: 087-6398849

 

About Sustainable Development Capital LLP (“SDCL”)

SDCL was established in 2007 and has a proven track record of financing and developing clean energy, energy efficiency, and decentralised energy infrastructure projects in the UK, Continental Europe, North America, and Asia. SDCL is headquartered in London and has an AUM of over $2.5 billion. The group and its investment vehicles also operate worldwide from offices in New York, Dublin, and Hong Kong. SDCL is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority and in Ireland by the Central Bank of Ireland.

 

About Global Energy Transition Fund (“GETF”)

GETF has raised €650 million and invests at the development and construction stage of projects that involve energy efficiency, on-site generation and clean energy solutions for commercial and industrial offtake counterparties in Europe and the United States.

GETF invests in projects at the development and construction stage, specifically developed for clients in the commercial, industrial or public sectors, with a focus on the following core sectors: Commercial buildings, Digital infrastructure, Healthcare, Industrials, Power and Transport. To date, GETF has committed capital into Ireland, the UK, the United States, France, Portugal and Spain.

 

About Carbon AMS

Carbon AMS, established in 2022, is an Anaerobic Digestion (“AD”) development platform focused on biomethane production in Ireland. Carbon AMS converts “grass to gas” through AD to produce biogas, which can be upgraded to biomethane, using the pioneering Carbon AMS approach. The biomethane is produced to meet the standards required to ensure Renewable Energy Directive (RED) certification, a sustainability certification set by the European Commission. Carbon AMS works with feedstock suppliers to measure and manage nutrients in the land to grow healthy grass. This ensures the highest grade biomethane and nutrient-rich bio-fertiliser as well as improved biodiversity. Farming families benefit from a sustainable source of income, and the potential to realise value from carbon buildup on their farms.

 

About Alexion in Ireland

Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease in Ireland alongside, AstraZeneca Commercial Operations, employ approximately 1,400 people across two sites in Dublin, and Athlone. Alexion is focused on the highly specialist development, manufacturing, supply, and distribution of AstraZeneca’s Rare Disease portfolio. Pairing vast technical capability with deep scientific knowledge our people across Ireland lead the sector in creating innovative sustainable solutions to meet the complex needs of Rare Disease patients throughout the world.

 

Alexion

Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease is focused on serving patients and families affected by rare diseases and devastating conditions through the discovery, development and delivery of life-changing medicines. A pioneering leader in rare disease for more than three decades, Alexion was the first to translate the complex biology of the complement system into transformative medicines, and today it continues to build a diversified pipeline across disease areas with significant unmet need, using an array of innovative modalities. As part of AstraZeneca, Alexion is continually expanding its global geographic footprint to serve more rare disease patients around the world.

 

AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Headquartered in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.