"Biomethane from horse manure is CO2-neutral, can be produced regionally, and can be used flexibly – for electricity, heat, and mobility."

Interview with Johannes Schmidt, Bioenergy Park Coast Ownership Company mbH

With a clear vision for sustainable energy generation and an innovative approach, Bioenergiepark Küste Besitzgesellschaft mbH is entering the capital market for the first time. The company has issued its first secured project bond (ISIN: DE000A4DFCD3) with a maximum issue volume of €7 million. In an interview with Bond Finder, company founder Johannes Schmidt discusses the idea behind this unique biogas project, the use of the bond proceeds, and the prospects for investors and the energy transition.

Bond Finder: Dear Mr. Schmidt, could you briefly introduce Bioenergiepark Küste Besitzgesellschaft mbH? What is special about the company structure and business purpose?

Johannes Schmidt: The issuer, in which I hold 100% of the shares, acts as a holding company. Its focus is on the acquisition and transformation of a biogas plant that has been in operation since 2011 and has been generating sustainable energy from horse manure using an innovative concept since 2023. We intend to develop this plant into a state-of-the-art biomethane production facility that will not only supply electricity in the future but also produce liquefied petroleum gas for heavy-duty transport through a gas liquefaction plant.

Bond Finder: Just a quick background: How did the idea of ​​turning horse manure into biogas come about? And when and how did you start implementing it?

Johannes Schmidt: I grew up on a farm that later became a boarding stable for around 100 horses. I recognized the potential of biogas early on, and in particular the possibility of using horse manure as an energy source. We're talking about a sustainable and economical solution for the disposal of this often underestimated organic material, especially in regions with high horse density, such as the coastal region of Schleswig-Holstein. In 2004, I took over the business from my father and began developing the idea of ​​a biogas plant using horse manure as a substrate. After successful fermentation trials, the project became concrete in 2010 and went online at the end of 2011. Due to its original focus on corn substrates and its technical configuration, the plant offered attractive optimization potential for converting to horse manure and producing biomethane. Another milestone was reached in 2023 when I developed a new approach to biogas liquefaction with a process engineering business partner. This ultimately led to the founding of Bioenergiepark Küste Besitzgesellschaft mbH, which will put the biomethane project on a future-oriented basis.

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