Renewable gas is growing in France despite a slowdown in new installations

France produced 11,6 terawatt hours (TWh) of biomethane last year, with a projected 9,1% increase to 2023 TWh in 27. This is equivalent to the energy consumption of 756.000 homes or 40.000 trucks and buses, according to the industry's annual report (Syndicat des énergies renouvelables - SER -, Gaz et Territoires, GRDF, Natran, and Teréga).

The production of gas from the methanization of biowaste (agricultural, household, sludge from treatment plants, storage of non-hazardous waste) and injected into the network in 2024 represents 3,2% of French natural gas consumption.

However, the stakeholders note "a clear slowdown in commissioning": 79 new installations in 2024 (out of a total of 731), "a level equivalent to 2019" after 139 commissionings in 2023, 149 in 2022 and 151 in 2021.

This "results from the revision of purchase tariffs in 2020, aggravated by successive health and energy crises," explains the document, which predicts that "the trend will continue in 2025."

To continue its development and contribute to the objective of carbon neutrality by 2050, the sector wishes to continue to benefit from public support, "particularly for small projects (less than 25 GWh per year)".

She proposes "that aid measures be put in place for consumers of renewable gas."

Professionals are also calling for "a derogation framework" from the Zero Net Artificialization (ZAN) law "to allow the establishment of new projects", while this text aims to curb urban sprawl.

In the longer term, "the sector welcomes the objective of 44 TWh of biomethane by 2030" in France's energy roadmap, the multi-year energy program (PPE) 2025-2035, which will be studied in Parliament "in the coming weeks," according to François Bayrou.

However, it believes that the target of 79 TWh for 2035 "clearly lacks ambition".

The sector finally regrets that "the PPE does not include objectives for complementary technologies for the production of renewable and low-carbon gas" other than methanization.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.