EDF inaugurates a revolutionary bioenergy plant on Reunion Island

EDF has inaugurated its bioenergy plant in Port-Est, Réunion, transforming its oil-fired generators into rapeseed bioenergy, for 100% renewable electricity production on the island.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

EDF, via its subsidiary EDF Production Energie Insulaire (PEI), has taken an important step in the renewable energy sector. The newly inaugurated bioenergy plant at Port-Est on Reunion Island represents a first in the conversion of a plant of this scale. The plant’s twelve engines, which previously ran on oil, now run on liquid biomass, made from rapeseed oil. This conversion, the result of two years of technical preparation and six months of construction work, will enable EDF to produce entirely renewable electricity on the island.

Impacts and Technical Challenges of Conversion

This ambitious project covers an average of 40% of the island’s electricity needs. EDF met the challenge of maintaining electricity production during the conversion work, a remarkable technical achievement. This operation required rigorous planning, including maintenance, successive shutdowns during the work and essential modifications to the plant’s central control and instrumentation system in order to use the new fuel.

Environmental benefits of Liquid Biomass

Liquid biomass, derived from rapeseed oil, produces 100% green electricity and avoids the emission of 500,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. The use of this biofuel will considerably improve air quality, by eliminating sulphur emissions and reducing dust emissions, while at the same time ensuring electricity production by the plant (212 MW). The liquid biomass used is certified under the European RED (renewable emissions directive), which has been transposed into French law and defines sustainability criteria and environmental requirements for the sector.

EDF and the Energy Transition Ambition on Reunion Island

Luc Rémont, Chairman and CEO of EDF, expressed his satisfaction with the successful conversion of the Port-Est power plant. This project secures an important source of renewable energy for Réunion’s electricity mix, and supports the region’s energy transition ambitions. EDF’s power generation fleet on Reunion Island is now 100% renewable, in line with the overall objective of making non-interconnected regions a benchmark for renewable energy.

The inauguration of EDF’s Port-Est bioenergy plant is a significant milestone in the history of Réunion’s energy transition. It illustrates how technological innovation and commitment to renewable energies can transform a region’s energy landscape in a sustainable way.

The increase in Brazil’s biodiesel blend mandate to 15% has reignited calls for stronger regulatory supervision as prices climb and budget constraints limit enforcement.
Waga Energy strengthens its presence in Brazil, betting on a rapidly structuring market where biomethane benefits from an incentive-based regulatory framework and strong industrial investment prospects.
John Cockerill and Axens launch NesaBTF, an industrial torrefaction technology designed to optimise biomass supply, with targeted ambitions in the growing sustainable aviation fuel market.
A R550mn grant enables Johannesburg to launch a waste-to-energy project with a 28 MW capacity under a 25-year public-private partnership model.
ENGIE signs a 15-year agreement with CVE Biogaz for the purchase of biomethane produced in Ludres, under the Biogas Production Certificates mechanism, marking a structuring step for the sector's development in France.
The first phase of a green methanol project in Inner Mongolia has successfully completed biomass gasifier technical tests, marking a key milestone in Goldwind's industrial deployment.
Eni begins the transformation of its Priolo complex in Sicily with a 500,000-tonne biorefinery and a chemical plastic recycling plant, based on its proprietary Hoop® technology.
Waga Energy has launched a biomethane production unit in Davenport, Iowa, in partnership with the Scott County Waste Commission and Linwood Mining and Minerals, with an annual capacity exceeding 60 GWh.
German group Uniper has entered into a long-term supply deal with Five Bioenergy for biomethane produced in Spain, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027.
Hanoi is preparing a tax relief plan for biofuel producers to support domestic ethanol output ahead of the E10 mandate rollout planned for 2026.
Lesaffre and ENGIE Solutions have inaugurated a waste heat recovery unit in Marcq-en-Barœul, covering 70% of the site's thermal needs through two industrial heat pumps.
Biochar projects are drawing investor interest in India, but signing regulated offtake contracts has become essential to ensure market compliance and financial stability in the carbon sector.
EDF power solutions and Refocosta have inaugurated Colombia’s largest wood biomass power plant in Villanueva, with 30 MW of capacity and an annual output of 200 GWh injected into the national grid.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners invests in Nivalan Biokaasu, Finland’s largest bioLNG plant, with construction set to begin in late 2025 and operations scheduled for 2027.
The Netherlands' lower house voted to adopt RED III, including technical amendments, paving the way for timely transposition by January 1, 2026, in line with EU commitments.
Technip Energies has secured two engineering contracts from Repsol for an innovative waste-to-methanol facility in Tarragona, Spain, marking a strategic milestone in its partnership with Enerkem.
Energy producer CVE Biogaz launches a facility in Tarn capable of processing 21,500 tonnes of biowaste per year to produce biomethane injected into the local gas network.
Australia refocuses its national biomass plan on agriculture and forestry, excluding green hydrogen and urban waste from eligible feedstocks.
A bipartisan group of 47 lawmakers is calling on the US Environmental Protection Agency to maintain high biodiesel quotas to support local agriculture affected by falling exports to China.
Subsidised bio-LNG is gaining traction in European maritime transport, supported by strong demand and a narrowing price gap with unsubsidised volumes.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.