Successful conclusion: VNG and CVC DIF seal partnership for sustainable growth of BALANCE
VNG AG and CVC DIF have finalised their strategic partnership for the further development of BALANCE Erneuerbare Energien GmbH (BALANCE) with the successful closing of the share acquisition deal. The transaction, in which CVC DIF acquired 49% of the shares in BALANCE, has now been fully completed following approval by the responsible competition authorities. VNG AG will still be the majority shareholder at 51%, with BALANCE remaining a fully consolidated part of the VNG Group. The partnership was publicly announced in April 2025. Both parties have agreed to keep further details of the transaction confidential.
The share acquisition by CVC DIF, a leading international infrastructure investor, will systematically strengthen BALANCE's growth strategy. The aim is to further expand its position as one of the largest biogas platforms in Germany and to play an active role in shaping the transformation to a sustainable energy system.
"The closing of the transaction marks an important milestone in our Group strategy 'VNG 2030+'. In CVC DIF, we have gained a reliable partner that shares our values, our vision for a climate-neutral energy future and the role that biogas will play in this. Together, we will continue to grow BALANCE and further increase its competitiveness in the long term. In this way, as VNG we can also continue to make a significant contribution to the supply of decarbonised and renewable gases. Biogas remains a central component of our 'VNG 2030+' strategy, as this climate-friendly energy source – which is storable, weather-independent and flexible – is an essential building block in the transition to renewable energy," commented Ulf Heitmüller, CEO of VNG AG.
BALANCE currently operates more than 40 biogas facilities in northern and eastern Germany, making it one of the largest biogas plant operators in Germany. With an installed capacity of around 197 MWRTO, more than 180,000 households per year can be supplied with green energy.
VNG is a group of over 20 companies active in the European energy industry, employing about 1,900 people. As a gas importer and wholesaler as well as an operator of critical gas infrastructure, the Group, which is headquartered in Leipzig, is central to the secure supply of gas in Germany. With the “VNG 2030+” strategy, VNG is also pursuing an ambitious path for a market ramp-up of renewable and decarbonised gases such as biogas and hydrogen, paving the way for a sustainable, secure supply and, in the long term, climate-neutral energy system of the future.
BALANCE is one of the leading operators of biogas plants in Germany. The company was founded in 2006 and currently operates 42 biogas facilities in Northern and Eastern Germany with a total rated thermal output of approx. 197 MWFTC. BALANCE is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leipzig-based VNG AG, a Group specialising in gas and gas infrastructure with over 20 companies operating throughout Europe. It supplies approximately 180,000 households with climate-friendly energy. More at www.balance-vng.de.
Press picture
Biogas plant of BALANCE in Satuelle (Copyright: VNG/Torsten Pross)
