Methanization has developed very differently depending on the regions of France. To analyze these differences more precisely, Methappro has divided France into 5 zones for which we will devote specific articles: North-West, North-East, Center, South-West and South-East. In this article we focus on the 'North-East' region of France to understand the history and take stock of existing methanization sites.

The map below roughly defines the area concerned, i.e.: Hauts-de-France, Grand-Est, Île-de-France and the north-east of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. This map created by Methappro represents all the methane digesters in operation or planned in metropolitan France. The yellow markers are the injection sites (production of biomethane) and the blue markers are the cogeneration sites (production of electricity).

This area is, along with the North-West of France, one of the two areas richest in methanization sites. In October 2023, this number can be estimated at between 630 and 680 sites in operation and in the pipeline, depending on the exact area defined. The Grand-Est and Hauts-de-France regions are also respectively the ^1st and ^3rd French regions with the largest number of methanization sites (the ^2nd being Brittany).

This abundance can be explained by several factors.

First of all, geographically, this area is close to Germany, which is one of the leading countries in the world for methanization. There are even more sites there and this has been the case for decades. Alsace is often described as a pioneering region for methanization in France, having taken inspiration from its German neighbor.

The North-East of France is also an important agricultural and agro-industrial region, which implies considerable resource potential for methanization (notably crop residues and biowaste from the agri-food industry).

The proportion between injection and cogeneration sites is roughly equivalent if we take the whole area into consideration, but varies according to the regions.

In Hauts-de-France , there are around 200 units (excluding boiler recovery and treatment plants). Among them, there is a majority of injection sites (around two thirds) and therefore a rather recent development of methanization, that is to say over the last 5 years. The farms in this region are historically numerous thanks to its natural assets such as fertile soils and favorable rainfall. More than two thirds of the land in the region is used for agriculture: cereals, potatoes, beets, milk, vegetables, etc. This also creates a large potential for volumes of biowaste, and makes methanization an interesting model for farmers who wish to diversify and optimize their activities.

In Île-de-France , the number of methanizers (still excluding WWTPs and boilers) is rather around 70, including agricultural and industrial sites.

The type of methanization is overwhelmingly injection, and the general development of this model is led by Seine-et-Marne, which has around 70% of the sites in the region. The appearance of the sites there is also recent, with more than half having been put into operation in 2020 or later.

Seine-et-Marne is a very agricultural land, particularly in cereals, which explains its interest for these structures. As a pioneer in injection methanization (with almost 50 sites alone), the department aims to achieve 75% autonomy in biogas for domestic use by 2030.

The Grand-Est region is breaking the records and is at the top of the ranking of regions with the most methane digester sites (around 345 including projects). This is explained by its large surface area but above all because it is the one that was influenced the earliest by methane digester in Germany. This 'seniority' also explains the fact that the majority of sites in the region are in cogeneration, a methane digester model that became popular well before injection. Today, the region still has around 60% of sites that use biogas in cogeneration.

Large-scale cereal crops are very present there, but also viticulture, which is pushing more and more industrialists to build their own methanization sites (notably in the former Champagne-Ardennes).

The northern part of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté follows the influence of its neighbour Grand-Est and also has a majority of cogeneration sites. There are also large cereal crops, and Haute-Saône is the department with the most sites among those in this area (around thirty).

Returning to the large area of ​​North-Eastern France, it clearly represents one of the leading regions in French agricultural and agro-industrial methanization. It is an example of France's growing commitment to the transition to more sustainable energy sources and responsible waste management.

Industrialists from the region or elsewhere: if you wish to revalue your biowaste through methanization, contact us! louis@methappro.fr

The figures in this article come from the Methappro database and may change depending on the criteria chosen and actual developments (new projects, unit sales, etc.).