Veolia has, for the first time in France, connected a waste-to-energy site to the national electricity grid’s secondary reserve operated by Réseau de Transport d’Électricité (RTE). This integration involves the Pôle d’Écologie Industrielle in Lapouyade, Gironde, which becomes the first biomass site based on non-recyclable waste to participate in the French power system’s flexibility mechanisms.
A biomass site now mobilisable within seconds
The Lapouyade site has been converting local non-recyclable waste into biogas for several years, injecting 45,000 MWh of electricity annually into the national grid—equivalent to the consumption of around 20,000 inhabitants. It also supplies 38,000 MWh of heat used by nearby agricultural greenhouses.
To enable participation in the electricity reserve, Veolia has installed a digital interface developed under its Flexcity offer. This technology receives real-time signals from RTE and automatically adjusts the site’s electricity output. The system can modulate an amount of power equivalent to the consumption of 2,000 households.
Planned expansion to 25 strategic sites
Veolia plans to deploy this technology across 25 additional sites in the coming months. This strategy addresses the increasing demand for electrical flexibility, driven by the electrification of industry and mobility, requiring fast-acting solutions to support grid stability.
The company stated that this initiative enables direct intervention on the supply-demand balance of the electricity network, reducing the risk of voltage fluctuations. The approach leverages existing local capacities, avoiding the need for new dedicated flexibility infrastructure.
An initiative showcased at the Mayors’ Exhibition
Veolia also highlighted ten industrial facilities during the Mayors’ Exhibition, reflecting its involvement in water management, waste treatment, and the production of local energy. The company currently supports more than 7,000 local authorities in France through its various services.
“We are taking a further step by transforming this industrial site into a true lever for energy flexibility,” said Jean-François Nogrette, Veolia’s Chief Executive Officer in France.
