SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

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.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

START NOW — 4.90$/month

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

SUBSCRIBE — 99$/year

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Sign up for free to unlock this article

The French National Assembly has definitively passed a law enabling the conversion of the Saint-Avold thermal power plant, located in Moselle, currently coal-fuelled. This legislative decision, adopted unanimously by present deputies, fulfils a commitment made by President Emmanuel Macron in 2023 to transform the facility to run on natural gas and biogas by 2027.

A key legal step for GazelEnergie

The approved legislation removes a legal barrier that had previously hindered the plant’s conversion, operated by GazelEnergie. The company has expressed readiness to invest in the transition, which requires significant infrastructure modifications. This technological shift is expected to preserve industrial activity at the site, where around 500 direct and indirect jobs are linked to the power facility.

Parliamentary discussions also addressed the future of the second remaining coal-fired power plant in France, located in Cordemais, Loire-Atlantique. A section of the legislation mandates the drafting of a specific plan for that installation, following a collaborative effort by regional senators. Électricité de France (EDF), the operator, had previously announced the permanent closure of this site in September.

Political pressure for clearer energy planning

During the bill’s presentation, Marc Ferracci, Minister Delegate for Industry, emphasised the importance of the law in providing clarity for industrial stakeholders amid the restructuring of the national energy mix. He confirmed the government’s intention to swiftly adopt a new multiannual energy programme (programmation pluriannuelle de l’énergie, PPE) in the form of a decree.

The minister stressed the need for Parliamentary involvement in the process, stating that future adjustments would be shaped by elected representatives’ debates. Several lawmakers, including the Chair of the Economic Affairs Committee Aurélie Trouvé and Deputy Julien Brugerolles, reiterated the importance of subjecting national energy decisions to Parliamentary debate and approval.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Dangote refinery forced to suspend gasoline production for several weeks
United States clears Rio Grande and Commonwealth LNG toward final decisions
Renaissance Dam could generate $1bn annual revenues for Ethiopia
ScottishPower halts green hydrogen projects despite public funding
Egypt commits $343mn to new gas drilling to support supply
Teréga and GRDF deploy new biomethane backfeed station in Moncrabeau
Teréga and GRDF have commissioned a backfeed station in Lot-et-Garonne, showcasing their cooperation to adapt gas networks to the rise of locally produced biomethane in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
Indonesia advances waste-to-energy incineration with support from SUS ENVIRONMENT
An Indonesian ministerial delegation visited China to explore waste-to-energy solutions, as the country moves forward with a $200mn project in Makassar.
Anaergia signs $13.23mn contract with Nortegas for biomethane plant in Spain
Anaergia’s Italian subsidiary has been selected by Nortegas Renovables to build a biomethane facility in Andalusia using agricultural residues.
Mondi invests €120mn in biomass power plant in Slovakia to cut energy reliance
Mondi SCP will build a new biomass power plant in Ružomberok to boost energy self-sufficiency from 75% to 90% by 2027, with a €120mn ($129mn) investment supported by the European Union’s Modernisation Fund.
EnviTec Biogas inaugurates its 40th EnviThan biomethane unit in France
With a new EnviThan facility in Aube, EnviTec Biogas reaches 40 units in operation in France and confirms its deployment pace in the biomethane market.
Southwest Gas Plans to Inject Biomethane from Organic Waste into Its California Network
Southwest Gas has submitted an agreement to the California Commission to inject biomethane produced from food and wastewater into its network, in line with SB 1440 regulatory requirements.
Quercus and Elionia secure €76 mn for three biomethane plants in Italy
Quercus Real Assets and Elionia finalise a €76 mn bank financing to build three biomethane plants in Italy, with 50% of the debt guaranteed by SACE.
VINCI secures a €1.2bn industrial contract for a biorefinery in Spain
VINCI, through its subsidiaries, has established itself in the construction of Spain’s largest second-generation biorefinery, a €1.2bn project aimed at supplying 500,000 tonnes of sustainable fuels per year.
Ameresco opens a biomethane unit at Lee County landfill with Republic Services
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.
Canada Infrastructure Bank grants $24M to biomass plant for Opitciwan
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 to supply 100 GWh of renewable electricity to RATP over sixteen years
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 to supply biomass boiler and flue gas cleaning system to Saica in Spain
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 to supply 500,000 tonnes of pine to Woodland Biofuels
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.
Thermal Energy launches a CAD 1.4M heat recovery project
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.
Global Bioenergies postpones asset takeover bids to 18 July
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 inaugurate France’s largest biogas production unit at Seine Aval
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.
Hydron Energy secures first contract for commercial biomethane plant
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.
United States: Donald Trump extends biogas tax credit until 2029
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 to supply biomass boiler to Kraftringen for its plant in Sweden
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 converts Laon wastewater into marketable biomethane
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.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.