TotalEnergies has commissioned a new biomethane plant in Fontaine-le-Dun, located about 50 kilometres from Rouen. Named BioNorrois, this facility is the group’s second-largest in France, after BioBéarn in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Its annual production of 153 GWh (gigawatt-hours) will allow the injection of non-fossil gas into the national grid, equivalent to the annual consumption of approximately 30,000 households.
A partnership with Cristal Union
This project is based on a partnership with the sugar group Cristal Union, which will supply beet residues from its nearby sugar production facility. Cristal Union holds a 10% stake in the BioNorrois facility and has committed to supplying the methaniser for 15 years. At the same time, the plant will produce digestate, a by-product of methanisation used as a natural fertiliser by partner farmers.
TotalEnergies expands its biomethane production
With this new facility, TotalEnergies increases its total biomethane production capacity in France to over 800 GWh. The group aims to reach a global biomethane production of 10 TWh (terawatt-hours) by 2030, equivalent to the annual consumption of 1.6 million people.
TotalEnergies is also developing similar projects in the United States as it seeks to strengthen its position in the global biomethane market. This expansion is part of the group’s strategy to diversify its renewable gas sources and reinforce its low-carbon energy offering.