Gaia Engineered Solutions
Scaling growth-stage renewable energy, agriculture and forestry businesses on a buy-to-hold basis.
The permanent capital vehicle invests in engineered solutions in land and ocean based sectors that mitigate against climate change. Gaia is the third fund in this strategy. The team has worked together for over a decade, and has grown regionally defining sustainable businesses and created long-term jobs in the economies of the future – from Port Talbot and Hartlepool to Yorkshire and the Tees Valley. We invest in companies that solve real commercial pain points, first and foremost – but that also deliver for the planet.
The engineered solutions strategy invests into growth-stage companies held across two separate corporate group structures.
Target Solutions
The fund is Greensphere’s primary investment vehicle in the Engineered Climate Solutions strategy, investing in growth-stage industrial solutions in renewable energy, agriculture and forestry on a buy-to-hold basis.
Renewable Energy
Electricity and gas generation assets that rely on organic feedstocks – from organic waste to biomass.
Waste and Emissions Upcycling
Technologies and assets that upcycle emissions to create industrial-grade chemicals and gasses, and hard to abate waste streams
Forestry and Land Management
Operating companies that carry out value-added forestry and nutrient management services upstream
Circular biomass solutions for a sustainable Wales
Welsh Bio-Enterprises (WBE) converts forest residues from sustainably managed Welsh woodlands and recovered wood into renewable energy. By transforming byproducts into power, WBE delivers low-carbon electricity without the need for imported biomass or dedicated energy crops. WBE differentiates itself from other larger biomass plants by sourcing all its biomass from within 60 miles of the plant. At its upgraded Margam biomass plant, WBE generates enough clean power for around 40,000 homes.
WBE receives ROC subsidies which are due to expire in 2028. Plans are being developed extend the life of the plant for a further 15-20 years through the creation of an eco-park using the biomass plant as the hub for multiple green projects. These include utilising waste heat and CO₂ to grow native Welsh trees creating a closed-loop model for sustainable forestry and circular bioenergy. Other projects include producing food grade liquid CO2 from flue gas that is currently released into the atmosphere, green hydrogen for use in road transport and the development of a ‘nature positive’ data centre.
As a direct result of extending the life of the plant, WBE is working with landowners to invest upstream in sustainable biomass to power the plant through woodland creation and the establishment of riparian borders of short rotation coppice willow. WBE and its partners Kew Reach and HW Forestry have designed a compelling business model for woodland creation, tailored to the specific Welsh context, with the aim of significantly contributing the Welsh Government’s tree planting targets. It also actively advocates for the transition of existing commercial forests to Continuous Cover Forestry methods, promoting greater biodiversity and soil health while maintaining economic viability.
WBE will become a catalyst for transformative environmental and regional resilience, setting a new benchmark for sustainable development.
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