TotalEnergies has commissioned BioNorrois, its eighth biomethane production site in France, located in Fontaine-le-Dun, Normandy. The new facility will inject 153 GWh of biomethane per year into the GRTgaz natural gas transport network, equivalent to annual gas consumption of over 30,000 individuals. This represents another milestone towards TotalEnergies’ initiatives to increase renewable energy production and play a role in France’s transition towards energy.
Partnership with Cristal Union
BioNorrois is a joint venture between Cristal Union, a French sugar group with a 10% interest in the project, and TotalEnergies. Cristal Union will supply beet pulp, a by-product from its local sugar plant, which will account for 80% of the 185,000 tons of organic material processed every year in the biomethane process. The joint venture reflects increasing use of waste from agri-food companies in developing renewable energy solutions.
Sustainable Fertilizer Production and Environmental Effects
BioNorrois will also have an annual output of 150,000 tons of digestate as a residue from the anaerobic digestion process. Cristal Union and NatUp will turn digestate into sustainable fertilizers, helping farmers shift away from chemical options. The project will reduce chemical fertilizer use by 5,500 tons yearly and cut CO2 emissions by 30,000 tons.
Karine Boissy-Rousseau, VP of Green Gases at TotalEnergies, said, “We are delighted with the commissioning of this new anaerobic digestion unit in Normandy, comparable in size to BioBéarn, our largest production site in France. With this new plant, which brings our biogas production capacity in the country to more than 800 GWh, TotalEnergies confirms its position as a major player in the market.”
She added, “With Cristal Union, we are partnering long-term with a robust, internationally recognized partner committed to sustainable growth of its activities. With this new biogas project, TotalEnergies continues to contribute to the promotion of a circular economy with multiple local benefits, the production of renewable energies, and the decarbonization of the French energy mix.”
Also read: TotalEnergies and Air Liquide Partner to Decarbonize Northern European Refineries with Green Hydrogen
Community Collaboration and Local Benefits
The stakeholders created BioNorrois after holding consultations with more than 130 local officials, agri-food industries, and farmers. Additionally, the partnership has seen a project that favors the local economy, enhances renewable energy, and supports France’s decarbonization efforts.
