AFG becomes France gaz and strengthens its ambition to meet major energy challenges

In a context marked by a global energy crisis, the gas sector is getting ready to meet the challenges of energy transition and sovereignty in France. The new identity of France gaz embodies this technological and industrial ambition aimed at the complete decarbonization of our economy and the revitalization of our territories. Questioned by the IFOP and France gaz, 84% of French people call on the public authorities to accelerate the development of renewable gases in our territories.

“There will be a before and after 2022 in the world of energy, and more particularly for our industry. Tomorrow it will only be gas producers who will produce gas, and it will be renewable and low-carbon. We must accelerate the energy transition through a variety of sources and technologies included in circular economy projects, enhancing the local resources of our territories. » explains Jean-Marc Leroy, president of France gaz.

France gaz: new partners and an extended field of intervention

The will of the association is clear, summed up in its slogan "France gaz, together let's transform energy". With a history of 150 years, the new identity of France gaz recalls the existence of a French gas model, centered around two pillars: the protection of French people, in addition to other energy vectors, and innovation, energy transition and sobriety service. It is accompanied by a new approach, integrating the agricultural sector, the waste industry, the world of start-ups and developers of renewable gas production technologies, such as methanization or pyrogasification. It calls on all stakeholders to support, from 2023, the construction of an ambitious and balanced national energy and climate strategy.

The gas sector will exceed the target set by the current Multiannual Energy Program for renewable gases. Thanks to the development of the production of these gases in our regions, it proposes, in the future French climate energy strategy, to double this objective. From 2030, the sector is aiming for 20% renewable and low-carbon gases in our national consumption.

Protection and innovation: France gaz to accelerate the production of French green gases and ensure security of supply

The resilience and mobilization of the French gas sector made it possible to respond to the risk of energy disruption this winter; which reminds us that the complementarity between electricity and gas is essential to ensure the balance between supply and demand.

The gas of tomorrow will no longer be imported and fossil fuel, but local and green. Thanks to new production technologies and the dynamism of the anaerobic digestion sector, of which more than 80% of the projects are of agricultural origin, it will allow:

• to operate the energy and climate transition: the energy produced from biogas, whether recovered in the form of electricity, heat or biofuel, contributes to the objective of carbon neutrality and to France's energy sovereignty;
• implement new waste policies: the biogas sector allows the optimized recovery of organic waste and contributes to the European objectives of reducing the dumping of organic matter;
• to develop the agro-ecological policy: methanization makes it possible to reduce natural emissions from livestock farming, to reduce the use of fossil fertilizers, to fight against water pollution and to generalize the establishment of intermediate crops, a source of many advantages: limitation of the erosion of soils and increased carbon storage.

France Gaz's proposals for a successful energy transition

1. Include the target of 20% renewable gas consumption by 2030 in the law. The gas industry can double its renewable and low-carbon gas production targets;
2. Recognize the benefit of biomethane in housing, for sustainable mobility and in industry with:

• Maintaining aid for gas-heated households and the introduction of biomethane in new housing;
• Its recognition as a major decarbonization solution for heavy transport: maritime transport, freight and passenger transport.
• The simplification of biomethane traceability and recovery mechanisms for industrialists;
• The rapid implementation of the measures taken to speed up the sector, such as the readjustment of purchase prices to take account of the effects of the crisis, including inflation, the launch of biomethane production contracts and support for the development of direct contracts between producers and companies.

A positive image of renewable gases, especially among the best-informed French people

The survey conducted by the IFOP for France gaz to measure French people's knowledge and perception of renewable gases, indicates that in terms of energy sovereignty, a large majority of French people support national independence. 79% declare that to mitigate the risks of energy shortages, the public authorities must set up actions intended to reinforce French production.

Half of French people claim to know about renewable gases, but in a relatively superficial way. However, 86% declare that they represent an “innovative solution”, 82% “an energy of the future”, 82% “a solution for the planet” and 81% an “important source of jobs”.

Asked about the uses of the latter, the "heating of individual and collective dwellings" and the "production of heat for industries and farms" (87% for each of the two), as well as the "heating of public buildings such as swimming pools, hospitals, schools, stadiums” (86%) remain the best known.

In line with the desire to nationalize energy production, 84% of respondents believe that public authorities should go further to encourage the development of renewable gas production. They are even 85% to be favorable to the development of production facilities in their region.

* Ifop survey for France gaz carried out by self-administered online questionnaire from December 13 to 14, 2022, with a sample of 1000 people, representative of the French population aged 18 and over.