Tamar Energy Limited, a newly-launched company focused on producing energy from organic waste matter, is planning to develop a network of over forty Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plants in the UK to generate 100MW of green electricity over the next five years.
The project brings together UK and international blue chip partners and investors whose input and expertise will be critical in developing the business. Tamar’s investor group is led by RIT Capital Partners plc and Fajr Capital, alongside the Duchy of Cornwall, Lord Rothschild’s Family Interests, Sustainable Technology Investments, Low Carbon Limited, the management team of Tamar Energy and other private investors, who are collectively providing over GBP65 million to establish the business.
As well as investing in the project, Sainsbury’s is also the strategic partner, providing its expertise and experience as the UK’s leading retail user of AD. Fajr Capital is an international investment firm backed by a prominent set of shareholders including the Abu Dhabi Investment Council, the Government of Brunei Darussalam, Khazanah Nasional of Malaysia and the Al Subeaei Group.
Tamar company believes there is a significant opportunity for AD to play an increased role in the UK’s Green Energy market, where it is under-developed, with only 1% of the number of plants in Germany. Tamar Energy and its shareholders aim to lead the development of this industry in the UK, simultaneously dealing with handling of waste and green energy generation. AD uses proven technology to convert organic waste into energy, and provides many benefits compared to other alternative energy technologies. In particular, AD delivers predictable base load electricity locally through plants with a low visual impact, reduces waste which would be sent to landfill and provides “green” fertilizer for agriculture.
Tamar Energy’s experienced management team will be headed by Alan Lovell as Executive Chairman. Lovell was previously the Chief Executive of Infinis Limited, which produces some 10% of the UK’s renewable energy, and over three years under Lovell’s leadership grew to EBITDA of GBP75m. Tamar Energy will be strengthened by the acquisition of Adgen Energy, which has an advanced pipeline of projects and a strong management team, including the previous CEO of BiogenGreenfinch, the AD specialist.
The project has also been endorsed by the UK Government. Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey says: “This is the sort of project that will be crucial for keeping the lights on and emissions down in the UK in the coming decades. Getting new investors to come into the clean energy market is one of my priorities. The consortium behind Tamar is a prime example of this, combining familiar high street names with big international investors. Energy from waste has the potential to make a substantial contribution to our renewable energy targets and so I look forward to seeing Tamar’s plans come to fruition.”
Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman says: “I want the UK to show leadership in anaerobic digestion and this new partnership will set us on that course. This GBP65 million investment shows there are great business opportunities in this technology, creating heat and power to run homes and businesses and reducing the amount of organic waste that would otherwise lie rotting in landfill. I wish Tamar Energy and their partners every success.”
Lord Rothschild, the Chairman of RIT says: “The development of renewable generating capacity is central to the UK Government’s energy strategy. We are delighted to have assembled such a strong group of partners, investors and management, to build and develop this important industry in the United Kingdom.”
Justin King, Chief Executive of J Sainsbury plc, says: “Sainsbury’s is the UK’s leading retail user of AD so we are delighted to be an investor and strategic partner of Tamar Energy. We will be working closely with our suppliers to ensure they have access to the new plants to help them reduce the environmental impact of their operations, a key strand of our 20 by 20 Sustainability Plan. With the support of our suppliers we are very confident that this new venture will be a success, helping build Tamar Energy into the UK’s leading green energy company.”
Iqbal Khan, CEO of Fajr Capital, says: “Anaerobic Digestion technology is proven and stable, and through the virtuous circle of generating energy from waste has outstanding environmental credentials. Alan and his team are the best in the business, and we are excited to be backing them to build Tamar Energy into a leading green energy company in the UK”.
Lovell, Chairman of Tamar Energy, says: “The underdevelopment of Anaerobic Digestion in the UK is principally driven by a historical lack of financing for the sector. Tamar Energy will be well capitalised by investors, with a pure focus on producing energy from organic waste, rather than as an adjunct to a waste management business. This is a game changing investment which will enable our existing team to capitalise on the substantial pipeline of projects that Adgen has developed – allowing us to rapidly to achieve our scale objectives.”
