Connection

France: restart of the Gardanne biomass power plant scheduled for early 2025

The Gardanne biomass power plant, the largest in France, will resume operations in early 2025 following an agreement between GazelEnergie and the state, providing €800 million in funding and creating hundreds of jobs.

Partagez:

After several months of negotiations, a major agreement has been reached between GazelEnergie, a subsidiary of the Czech group EPH, and the state to restart the Gardanne biomass power plant in the Bouches-du-Rhône region. This plant, with a capacity of 150 megawatts, will supply 6% of the electricity consumed in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, using 850,000 tons of biomass, primarily wood.

The plant has been shut down since autumn 2023, following the termination of a contract between GazelEnergie and the state due to rising biomass costs. According to Olga Givernet, Deputy Minister for Energy, €800 million in funding over eight years will enable the facility to restart in January 2025. This project is expected to create over 90 direct jobs and 500 indirect jobs, providing significant support to the local economy.

A Strategic Project for Energy Transition

The restart of the biomass power plant is part of a national policy aimed at decarbonizing industry and promoting reindustrialization. The Deputy Minister highlighted that this relaunch complies with France’s strict environmental regulations. However, concerns persist regarding the impact of biomass on forests. In November 2023, the Council of State required a comprehensive assessment of the direct and indirect environmental effects of the plant’s activity. GazelEnergie has confirmed that these studies are currently under review by the relevant authorities.

Local and Union Reactions

The decision has been positively received by unions and local stakeholders. Jean-Michel Roccasalva, Secretary General of the CGT Gardanne Power Plant, welcomed the announcement, viewing it as an opportunity to preserve jobs and revitalize activities linked to the plant, particularly at the Fos-sur-Mer port.

To address criticisms about the sustainability of the project, authorities emphasize the plant’s reduced carbon footprint, now ten times lower than that of its previous coal-based operations. This project represents an important step towards a balanced and responsible energy transition.

  • Populaires ​
Minéraux Stratégiques Abitibi opens talks for biomass project in Amos
US ethane imports to China set to hit record after Trump-Xi call
European gas storage reserves down 30% ahead of winter
Mexico targets up to $9bn in private investment for renewable energy
Bernard Fontana Launches 30% Cost Reduction Plan at EDF
Waga Energy launches biomethane unit on Vancouver Island with FortisBC
Waga Energy has commissioned a biomethane facility in British Columbia, in partnership with FortisBC and Capital Regional District, marking the first unit of its kind on Vancouver Island.
en_1140290951540
Waga Energy launches biomethane unit on Vancouver Island with FortisBC
Waga Energy has commissioned a biomethane facility in British Columbia, in partnership with FortisBC and Capital Regional District, marking the first unit of its kind on Vancouver Island.
en_1140290951540
Biogases could meet 25% of global natural gas demand, says IEA
A new report by the International Energy Agency identifies significant untapped potential in biogas and biomethane, hindered by regulatory and economic barriers.
en_1140290943540-17-2-1
Biogases could meet 25% of global natural gas demand, says IEA
A new report by the International Energy Agency identifies significant untapped potential in biogas and biomethane, hindered by regulatory and economic barriers.
en_1140290943540-17-2-1
Carbonité launches Canada’s largest biochar plant with 10,000-tonne capacity
Joint venture between Airex Énergie, Groupe Rémabec and SUEZ begins industrial biochar production in Port-Cartier, targeting 30,000 tonnes annually by 2026.
en_1140290961540-9
Carbonité launches Canada’s largest biochar plant with 10,000-tonne capacity
Joint venture between Airex Énergie, Groupe Rémabec and SUEZ begins industrial biochar production in Port-Cartier, targeting 30,000 tonnes annually by 2026.
en_1140290961540-9
TotalEnergies sells 50% of PGB to HitecVision to develop biogas in Poland
TotalEnergies sold 50% of Polska Grupa Biogazowa to HitecVision for €190mn to accelerate biogas development in Poland and reach 2 TWh of biomethane by 2030.
en_1140290965540-3
TotalEnergies sells 50% of PGB to HitecVision to develop biogas in Poland
TotalEnergies sold 50% of Polska Grupa Biogazowa to HitecVision for €190mn to accelerate biogas development in Poland and reach 2 TWh of biomethane by 2030.
en_1140290965540-3
Alder Renewables and Bioénergie AECN launch Project Avance to produce sustainable aviation fuel in Québec
Project Avance aims to build a pilot plant in Québec to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from sawmill residues, contributing to the decarbonisation of the aviation sector.
en_1140290956540-5
Alder Renewables and Bioénergie AECN launch Project Avance to produce sustainable aviation fuel in Québec
Project Avance aims to build a pilot plant in Québec to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from sawmill residues, contributing to the decarbonisation of the aviation sector.
en_1140290956540-5
GazelEnergie restarts Gardanne biomass plant with reduced wood supply
A public inquiry on Gardanne’s biomass sourcing begins as GazelEnergie resumes operations at 4,000 hours per year.
en_1140290948540
GazelEnergie restarts Gardanne biomass plant with reduced wood supply
A public inquiry on Gardanne’s biomass sourcing begins as GazelEnergie resumes operations at 4,000 hours per year.
en_1140290948540
Aemetis Biogas completes $1.6mn in LCFS and D3 RIN sales in April
Aemetis Biogas recorded $1.6mn in revenue in April from California LCFS and federal D3 RIN credit sales, pending capacity expansion with seven new digesters.
en_1140290970540-2
Aemetis Biogas completes $1.6mn in LCFS and D3 RIN sales in April
Aemetis Biogas recorded $1.6mn in revenue in April from California LCFS and federal D3 RIN credit sales, pending capacity expansion with seven new digesters.
en_1140290970540-2
Integrated biorefineries accelerate growth of renewable fuels at controlled costs
Facing supply fluctuations, integrated biorefineries are emerging as an effective industrial solution, combining diverse feedstocks to optimize operating costs and secure renewable fuel supplies, crucial to achieving carbon neutrality goals.
en_1140290943540-10-2
Integrated biorefineries accelerate growth of renewable fuels at controlled costs
Facing supply fluctuations, integrated biorefineries are emerging as an effective industrial solution, combining diverse feedstocks to optimize operating costs and secure renewable fuel supplies, crucial to achieving carbon neutrality goals.
en_1140290943540-10-2
France: Rennes invests EUR156mn in its district heating network
Rennes Métropole and ENGIE Solutions are launching a EUR156mn project to extend a 78-kilometre district heating network powered entirely by renewable and recovered energy sources.
en_1140290945540-13
France: Rennes invests EUR156mn in its district heating network
Rennes Métropole and ENGIE Solutions are launching a EUR156mn project to extend a 78-kilometre district heating network powered entirely by renewable and recovered energy sources.
en_1140290945540-13
EnviTec Biogas commissions its largest anaerobic digestion plant in the US
German group EnviTec Biogas inaugurated its largest US plant earlier this year in South Dakota, reinforcing its industrial partnership with SJI Renewable Energy Ventures.
en_1140290984540
EnviTec Biogas commissions its largest anaerobic digestion plant in the US
German group EnviTec Biogas inaugurated its largest US plant earlier this year in South Dakota, reinforcing its industrial partnership with SJI Renewable Energy Ventures.
en_1140290984540
Aemetis increases renewable gas output by 55% in March
Aemetis Biogas recorded a 55% increase in renewable natural gas production in March, supported by favourable weather conditions and the expansion of its digester project in California.
en_1140290974540
Aemetis increases renewable gas output by 55% in March
Aemetis Biogas recorded a 55% increase in renewable natural gas production in March, supported by favourable weather conditions and the expansion of its digester project in California.
en_1140290974540
France approves conversion of Saint-Avold power plant to biogas by 2027
The National Assembly approved legislation enabling the conversion of the Saint-Avold coal-fired power plant to biogas, fulfilling a government pledge and impacting approximately 500 jobs.
en_1140290976540
France approves conversion of Saint-Avold power plant to biogas by 2027
The National Assembly approved legislation enabling the conversion of the Saint-Avold coal-fired power plant to biogas, fulfilling a government pledge and impacting approximately 500 jobs.
en_1140290976540
Biomethane production increases in France despite a slowdown in new installations
The French renewable gas sector recorded a 27% rise in output in 2024, reaching 11.6 TWh, although new unit commissioning fell back to 2019 levels.
en_1140291012540
Biomethane production increases in France despite a slowdown in new installations
The French renewable gas sector recorded a 27% rise in output in 2024, reaching 11.6 TWh, although new unit commissioning fell back to 2019 levels.
en_1140291012540
Urbaser wins €700mn contract for incinerator near Paris
Urbaser will operate the Étoile verte incinerator in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine from January 2026 under a €700mn, twelve-year agreement signed with Syctom, the public operator for the Paris region.
en_1140290944540-2
Urbaser wins €700mn contract for incinerator near Paris
Urbaser will operate the Étoile verte incinerator in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine from January 2026 under a €700mn, twelve-year agreement signed with Syctom, the public operator for the Paris region.
en_1140290944540-2
Stockholm Exergi launches the first industrial BECCS project using Capsol technology
Stockholm Exergi approves investment in an industrial BECCS project using Capsol’s CO₂ capture technology, backed by Microsoft and Frontier Group, targeting 800,000 tonnes of CO₂ removed annually from 2028.
en_1140290953540-21
Stockholm Exergi launches the first industrial BECCS project using Capsol technology
Stockholm Exergi approves investment in an industrial BECCS project using Capsol’s CO₂ capture technology, backed by Microsoft and Frontier Group, targeting 800,000 tonnes of CO₂ removed annually from 2028.
en_1140290953540-21
European airlines challenge 2030 targets for sustainable fuels
Several air transport groups believe the renewable fuel levels set by the European Union for 2030 are unattainable given current production capacities.
en_1140290943540-23
European airlines challenge 2030 targets for sustainable fuels
Several air transport groups believe the renewable fuel levels set by the European Union for 2030 are unattainable given current production capacities.
en_1140290943540-23
The Senate approves Saint-Avold’s biogas conversion under social pressure
The French Senate passed a bill supporting the conversion of the Saint-Avold coal-fired power plant into a biogas facility, a pivotal decision affecting nearly 650 jobs.
en_1140290953540-18
The Senate approves Saint-Avold’s biogas conversion under social pressure
The French Senate passed a bill supporting the conversion of the Saint-Avold coal-fired power plant into a biogas facility, a pivotal decision affecting nearly 650 jobs.
en_1140290953540-18
Baghdad launches $500 mn waste-to-energy plant with Chinese support
Iraq has initiated its first waste-to-energy project in Baghdad, a $500 mn venture supported by Chinese firm SUS ENVIRONMENT and overseen by Iraqi authorities.
en_1140290949540-16
Baghdad launches $500 mn waste-to-energy plant with Chinese support
Iraq has initiated its first waste-to-energy project in Baghdad, a $500 mn venture supported by Chinese firm SUS ENVIRONMENT and overseen by Iraqi authorities.
en_1140290949540-16
SK Energy signs SAF supply agreement with Cathay Pacific
SK Energy will supply ISCC-certified sustainable aviation fuel to Cathay Pacific until 2027, strengthening its presence in the regional SAF market in Asia-Pacific.
en_1140290946540-8
SK Energy signs SAF supply agreement with Cathay Pacific
SK Energy will supply ISCC-certified sustainable aviation fuel to Cathay Pacific until 2027, strengthening its presence in the regional SAF market in Asia-Pacific.
en_1140290946540-8
La Réunion Converts Waste into Electricity to Aim for Energy Independence
An energy recovery facility is expected to transform 240,000 tons of waste annually into electricity, covering 10% of local energy needs and reducing the island's external energy dependence.
en_1140290954540-8
La Réunion Converts Waste into Electricity to Aim for Energy Independence
An energy recovery facility is expected to transform 240,000 tons of waste annually into electricity, covering 10% of local energy needs and reducing the island's external energy dependence.
en_1140290954540-8

LEGAL

FOSSILS

POLICY

RENEWABLE

PLUS

VERVANT

Welcome

Your subscription

Included in this subscription:

COMMUNICATE ON ENERGYNEWS