Prohibition of gas boilers: the sector's concern in the face of contradictory political signals

For France gaz, contradictory signals are being sent to the French.

Called upon to participate in the working groups of the Climate Energy Programming Act, France gaz intends to defend a sustainable and fair energy transition model, enhancing all of our country's energy and industrial assets.

For Jean-Marc Leroy, President of France gaz: “The government aims to accelerate the decarbonization of our country by 2030, we welcome this. The place allocated to gas solutions and innovations in the renewable gas sector could be further increased to achieve this objective more quickly. Invited to contribute to the working group of the Energy Climate Programming Law dedicated to the production of heat and low-carbon energies, France gaz will vigorously defend its balanced vision of an energy transition inscribed at the heart of the territories, which will make it possible to respond, in all seasons, to the diversity of the needs of French people and businesses. »

Encouraging announcements for the place of renewable gases in the gas mix of 2030…

The Minister for Energy Transition has confirmed her ambition to accelerate the production of renewable gases by announcing regulatory measures, relating in particular to the purchase price for biomethane production. The sector can only be satisfied with these announcements, which can relaunch the dynamics of project development.

To accelerate the sector's energy transition, the government plans to revise its ambitions upwards and aim for 15% renewable gas by 2030. The French sector welcomes this orientation, which recognizes the maturity of renewable gases. To go even faster and contribute to the decarbonization objectives, in particular in housing, France gaz proposes to set a target of 20% in 2030.

…recognition of emerging sectors to be amplified

Beyond anaerobic digestion, pyrogasification, hydrothermal gasification and methanation are important innovation levers, based on circular economy projects. These production technologies contribute to the transition of the gas sector and make it possible to recover community waste. A source of waste that has not been taken into account by the public authorities in the decarbonized energy mix scenarios of 2050.

As part of the work on the Climate Energy Programming Law, France gaz will ask for the representatives of these innovative sectors to be interviewed. In addition to the challenge of supporting these sectors, it is essential to promote local industrial approaches, participating in the reindustrialization of our territories and offering solutions adapted to everyone's needs.

… and worrying signals with the shutdown of gas boilers under study

On May 22, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne presented sectoral decarbonization targets for 2030. The reduction in the share of heating in buildings clearly indicates the government's intention to announce the end of gas boilers in housing, even for households wishing to use renewable gases.

Given the costs associated with energy renovation work and the increase in the price of electricity, the impact of these measures on the purchasing power and daily lives of French people will be significant, particularly in the absence of alternatives for people living in rural areas or in collective housing.

Today, an electric solution such as a heat pump costs about €10.000 more than a very high energy-efficient gas boiler, with a shorter lifespan. Added to this are higher equipment maintenance costs and substantial costs for reinforcing the power grid.

The excessively rapid electrification of the heating stock also poses a risk to the sustainability of the electricity networks in winter. The public authorities must not underestimate the role of gas in managing the energy peak, and maintain a balanced vision of the energy mix.

France Gaz's proposals for a fair and sustainable transition

1. Support all renewable and low-carbon energies and accelerate their development
2. Favor a balanced approach, reconciling energy transition and resilience of the energy system, preserving employment and household purchasing power
3. Retain the possibility of using gas solutions in the absence of an alternative solution, such as the hybrid heat pump and very high performance boilers
4. Encourage households to use green gases to power their equipment