France: A New Biomass Power Plant in Corsica

EDF launches the construction of a biomass power plant in Ajaccio. This €800 million project aims to cover 20% of Corsica’s electricity consumption while reducing CO2 emissions by 65%.

Share:

Subscribe for unlimited access to all the latest energy sector news.

Over 150 multisector articles and analyses every week.

For less than €2/week*

*For an annual commitment

*Engagement annuel à seulement 99 € (au lieu de 149 €), offre valable jusqu'au 30/07/2025 minuit.

Corsica is taking a major step in its energy transition. On Friday, EDF CEO Luc Rémont laid the foundation stone for the Ricanto power plant in Ajaccio, a project powered by liquid biomass derived from rapeseed oil. This initiative, designed to replace the current Vazzio power plant running on heavy fuel oil, is part of an ambitious decarbonization strategy.

The plant, scheduled for commissioning by the end of 2027, will feature eight next-generation engines capable of producing a total output of 130 megawatts (MW). Fueled by 100,000 tons of biomass annually imported from Europe, it is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 65%, according to EDF. This is particularly significant as greenhouse gas emissions remain a major challenge in combating climate change.

A Solution for Corsica’s Energy Autonomy

According to Luc Rémont, this plant will contribute to strengthening the island’s energy autonomy and meet the needs of approximately 110,000 residents. This €800 million project includes a long-term investment of €6 billion over 25 years for its operation. Catherine Vautrin, Minister for Partnerships with Territories, emphasized the importance of this initiative to end the use of heavy fuel oil in Corsica.

Currently, the island’s energy supply relies on a balance between imports from Italy, renewable energies (solar and hydropower), and the thermal power plants in Vazzio and Lucciana. The Ricanto plant aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels while complementing efforts toward greener production.

Enhanced Support for the Energy Transition

The government also announced an annual €200 million envelope over ten years to accelerate the island’s energy transition. Despite these efforts, producing electricity in Corsica remains more expensive than in mainland France due to geographical constraints. In 2023, the state allocated €370 million to ensure that the cost per kilowatt-hour is identical on the island and the mainland.

This project comes nearly two decades after the historic power outages of 2005, when exceptionally low temperatures and insufficient production capacities left most Corsican households without electricity for several days. Since then, EDF has bolstered infrastructure to prevent such crises.

As the Ricanto project progresses, it represents a significant milestone in France’s energy strategy for insular territories, marking a step toward a more resilient and sustainable Corsica.

Ameresco commissions a biomethane facility in Lee County, processing 4,500 cubic feet of landfill gas per minute, and directly injects this renewable gas into the transmission network to reduce emissions and strengthen energy security.
A $24mn financing supports the construction of a 4.8 MW biomass plant designed to replace diesel in Opitciwan, bringing jobs and enhanced energy security for the Atikamekw community.
SUEZ and RATP Group formalise a supply contract for 100 GWh of renewable electricity per year, over a maximum period of sixteen years, powering the operations of the world’s third largest urban transport operator.
Valmet has secured a contract to supply a biomass boiler and flue gas cleaning system to Saica Group for its production site in El Burgo de Ebro, Spain, as part of its decarbonisation plan.
Qarlbo Biodiversity signed a memorandum of understanding with Woodland Biofuels for the delivery of thinned pine wood from managed forests in the United States to supply the Canadian company’s biomass operations.
The Canadian group Thermal Energy International has secured a CAD 1.4 million contract to install a heat recovery unit at a European malted barley producer, aiming to reduce energy costs and polluting emissions.
The asset takeover process of Global Bioenergies, under a pre-pack disposal procedure, has been extended until 18 July at noon, following requests from potential bidders seeking additional time to assess the French company's financial situation.
SIAAP and SUEZ have inaugurated a new biogas production unit at the Seine Aval wastewater treatment plant, the largest in Europe, as part of a modernization project to strengthen the energy sovereignty of the Paris region.
Canadian company Hydron Energy will supply its innovative INTRUPTor-Mid technology to produce renewable natural gas in Ontario, marking its first commercial order in the biomethane sector with a promise of significant cost reductions.
US President Donald Trump has ratified a law extending until the end of 2029 the tax credit on renewable natural gas production from biomass and animal manure, aiming to boost the rural economy.
Valmet secures a contract to deliver a bubbling fluidized bed biomass boiler and flue gas handling equipment to Kraftringen Energi's upcoming combined heat and power plant, aimed at strengthening energy supply in Sweden.
Elcimaï Environnement has completed a methanisation unit integrated into Laon's wastewater treatment plant, now enabling the conversion of sludge and bio-waste into biomethane injected into the local grid, meeting the annual energy needs of 1,150 households.
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.
SUEZ signs a 15-year renewable electricity supply agreement with Bouygues Telecom, covering 53 GWh annually from household waste energy recovery, effective from 2027.
The Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolis entrusts Waga Energy with the digital management of biogas generated from waste at the Arbois facility using the eLandfill platform, to enhance technical efficiency and operational monitoring at the site.