France: Rennes invests EUR156mn in its district heating network

Rennes Métropole and ENGIE Solutions are launching a EUR156mn project to extend a 78-kilometre district heating network powered entirely by renewable and recovered energy sources.

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

Rennes Métropole has signed a thirteen-year concession agreement with ENGIE Solutions to develop and operate an urban district heating network in the southern part of the city, powered exclusively by renewable and recovered energy sources. The project will extend the existing network to 78 kilometres, with 32 kilometres to be newly built. The total investment amounts to EUR156mn ($167mn), with a planned capacity equivalent to 47,000 connected households.

A dedicated project company

The project is structured under a single-operation semi-public company (SEMOP), governed jointly by ENGIE Solutions (46%), Rennes Métropole (34%), and Banque des Territoires (15%). For the first time in France, 5% of the company’s capital will be opened to citizen participation through the “Chaleur Renouvelable Citoyenne Rennes Sud” initiative, which brings together residents and subscribers. Two public information meetings have already been held, and participatory workshops are planned.

Five-year expansion plan

Work will begin in Rennes and Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande with the installation of three kilometres of new pipelines and the modernisation of two kilometres in the Bréquigny district. The network will then be extended to Sud Gare, Francisco-Ferrer, Landry, Gaité Sud, and the South-East eco-pole up to Chantepie. Existing infrastructure in Blosne, Poterie, and Bréquigny will also be upgraded and expanded.

Biomass heating plants and hydrostorage

Two new biomass heating plants will be built by 2028: a 23-megawatt facility in Blosne, including a 3,000 m³ hydrostorage tank, and a 21-megawatt plant in Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande. These will complement existing installations, ensuring supply during peak demand and maintaining independence from fossil fuel markets.

Digital modernisation and support

The network will include 547 connected substations, managed using digital tools to optimise energy performance. ENGIE Solutions will also offer energy assessments and a EUR500,000 ($536,000) solidarity fund over five years to support building adaptations for new connections.

Local sourcing and circular economy

Wood supply will be sourced locally, including hedgerow wood, end-of-life timber, and forestry chips. Agricultural partnerships will be developed to structure this supply chain. The project also plans to reuse 15 tonnes of materials from construction work, in collaboration with the Bâti Récup association, and to promote recycling of technical equipment among new customers.

Frank Lacroix, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of ENGIE in charge of Local Energy Infrastructures, stated that “this project marks a major step forward in the decarbonisation of Rennes Métropole.” According to projections, the initiative will prevent 670,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions over the duration of the contract.

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.