Building on strength: Auris Energia’s green gas expansion

Sustainability is often framed as a cost; something to be managed, reported, or explained. In some sectors, it’s still seen as a distraction from the ‘real’ business of delivering returns. But in infrastructure, the picture is different. For the economic infrastructure team at Aberdeen Investments, sustainability is part of how we understand risk, identify opportunities, and build long-term value.

Auris Energia, a Finnish utility that we’ve partnered with since 2015, is a great example of that philosophy in action.

Auris began as a regulated gas distribution business, providing essential energy services to residential and industrial customers. That core business remains strong today – a stable, cash-generative platform that supports the resilience of Finland’s energy system. It’s precisely this backbone that has enabled the company to explore new opportunities in low-carbon energy, including biomethane production.

A platform for growth

In recent years, we’ve worked closely with Auris’s management to expand the company’s capabilities and to position it for long-term relevance. One of the most exciting developments is Mäntsälän Biovoima Oy, a biogas facility that’s now majority-owned by Auris. In 2024, the plant produced over 10 GWh1  of biomethane and processed more than 12,000 tonnes of organic waste. A major expansion is underway, tripling capacity to 34 GWh annually and adding a new line to handle 23,000 tonnes of wastewater sludge.

This investment is supported by Finland’s Ministry of the Environment and aligns with national goals for carbon neutrality by 2035. It also reflects growing demand for domestically produced green gas – both as a substitute for fossil fuels and as a strategic asset in a more volatile energy landscape.

Importantly, the biomethane business is not a pivot away from Auris’s core operations. It’s an extension; a way to leverage existing infrastructure, relationships, and expertise to deliver new services that complement the company’s traditional role. The regulated gas network continues to provide reliable service and stable returns, while the biomethane platform opens new avenues for growth.

Strategic diversification, not displacement

Auris’s evolution reflects our broader approach to sustainability: pragmatic, financially grounded, and focused on long-term value. The company is classified as “transition-aligned” under our internal framework. This means it actively supports the low-carbon transition, while still providing an essential service.

This categorisation reflects the emissions profile and the strategic direction of the business. Auris is investing in hybrid heating systems, energy services, and infrastructure to inject biomethane into the national grid. These developments diversify revenue, reduce exposure to fossil-fuel volatility, and enhance the company’s resilience to regulatory and technological change.

As Chief Executive Officer Anni Sarvaranta says:
“We’re building a business that’s fit for the future – one that supports our customers, strengthens our energy system, and contributes meaningfully to the green transition.”

Looking ahead: scaling the opportunity

The biomethane platform is just the beginning. Auris has ambitious plans to expand its production capacity further, to explore new feedstock sources, and to deepen its role in Finland’s green gas ecosystem. With infrastructure already in place and a strong operational track record, the company is well-positioned for scale – both organically and through strategic partnerships.

This growth potential is underpinned by clear market signals. Finland, like many European countries, is seeking to reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels and to increase domestic renewable energy production. Biomethane offers a credible pathway to do both, and Auris is emerging as a key player in that transition.

A model for measured progress

Auris Energia’s story isn’t one of radical reinvention but of thoughtful evolution. It reflects our philosophy: sustainability is not a separate agenda, but a lens through which we understand risk, identify opportunities, and build better businesses.

For more information – including other examples from across our portfolio – you can read our latest sustainability update here.