Expansion of biomethane in France: 31% growth by 2023

In 2023, renewable gas production in France rose by 31%, according to the latest sector report.

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Croissance biométhane 2023

By 2023, the production of biomethane, derived from the methanization of bio-waste, particularly agricultural and food waste, and sludge from wastewater treatment plants, has increased significantly in France, from 7 terawatt-hours at the end of 2022 to 9.1 terawatt-hours. This progress is documented in the 9th Panorama des gaz renouvelables, a report published by the Syndicat des énergies renouvelables (SER), Gaz et Territoires, GRDF, GRTgaz, and Teréga.

Sector vision and future projections

Industry players declare that “this sector, which emerged in the early 2010s, is now firmly established in the French energy mix”. They set ambitious targets of 60 terawatt-hours by 2030, and even envisage 70 terawatt-hours including heat and electricity production from biogas.

Responding to economic challenges

The sector has suffered significant economic constraints due to a drop in the feed-in tariff since 2020, which has stalled many projects. However, “while the sector is just recovering from this air pocket after a tariff revision decided mid-2023 for projects below 25GWh/year”, there is still a lack of short- and medium-term visibility on the economic framework for larger installations.

To encourage the development of projects exceeding 25 GWh/year, the sector is awaiting a decree, promised for the summer, that will oblige gas suppliers to offer a “green” gas option to the residential and tertiary sectors, a measure that will be supported by “biogas production certificates”. Industry players insist on the need for a “stable, predictable framework with the right level of support” to enable dynamic development of new projects.

Infrastructure manager Teréga and GRDF inaugurated in Auch, Occitanie, the region’s first biomethane reverse-flow station, designed to facilitate biomethane transfer from the distribution to the transport network, representing an investment of €3mn ($3.27mn).
Eni has inaugurated its first vegetable oil extraction plant in Loudima, Republic of the Congo, marking the country's entry into the global biofuel supply chain for the transport industry.
The city of Toul has officially inaugurated a biomass heating plant operated by ENGIE Solutions, intended to supply heating from wood-energy to over 2,400 local homes starting from the next winter season.
North American biomethane capacity will increase by 70 million cubic feet per day in 2025 following a record growth of 139 mmcfd in 2024, driven notably by transportation sector demand, according to Wood Mackenzie.
The voluntary carbon market intensifies industrial interest in carbon capture within the pulp and paper and bioenergy sectors, creating an estimated $3 billion opportunity through carbon credit trading.
Germany’s announcement to eliminate double counting is shaking up manure-based biomethane and GHG certificate markets, prompting buyers to anticipate significant price hikes.
Skyven Technologies introduces an industrial heat pump capable of generating steam, reducing Western New York Energy's CO2 emissions by 20,000 tons a year.
Unions at the Cordemais coal-fired power station have called a strike and are demanding that EDF CEO Luc Rémont come to the plant to explain the abandonment of the biomass conversion project.
Haffner Energy and Bambbco collaborate to integrate bamboo as a new sustainable biomass source. The partnership aims to strengthen the supply of biomass for clean energy production, by exploiting marginal lands.
The CGT has revealed that EDF is considering halting the conversion of the Cordemais power plant to biomass, a project essential to the energy security of western France. EDF insists that the final decision has not yet been taken.
Hat: Gevo makes a strategic sale of tax credits generated by its renewable natural gas (RNG) site in Iowa, a transaction that strengthens its position in the renewable energy market.
NewEnergyBlue buys Inbicon's biomass technology from Ørsted, strengthening its global patent portfolio and licenses.
The launch of the Omaezakikou biomass power plant, affiliated to RENOVA, has been pushed back to March 2025. Technical adjustments extend the timetable and affect financial forecasts.
ENGIE and INRAE extend their five-year collaboration to optimize the biomethane sector in France, focusing on research and innovation to improve methanization and the use of agricultural resources.
Énercycle obtains $26 million in public funding to develop a biomethanization center in Saint-Étienne-des-Grès, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Mauricie region.
BPC Instruments wins two additional orders for its analytical systems, strengthening the infrastructure of biogas projects in California.
Hexagon Agility, a subsidiary of Hexagon Composites, receives a major order for renewable natural gas systems for a waste collection fleet in North America, strengthening its position in the sector.
The market for biomass briquettes is booming, driven by growing demand for renewable energies and regulations promoting the energy transition.
TotalEnergies has taken a strategic step forward by supplying its first marine biofuel made from used cooking oil to Singapore, in response to growing demand for alternative fuels in the maritime sector.
The global biomethane market is poised for significant expansion, with production capacity and equipment revenues forecast to rise between now and 2033, particularly in Europe and North America.