In this article, we focus on the 'North-West' area of ​​France to understand how methanization has developed there. This area is roughly defined by the map below: it includes in particular Brittany, Normandy and the Pays de la Loire.

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).

Along with the North-East of France, this area is the most developed in terms of the number of methanisation sites in operation. This number can be estimated at the end of 2023 at more than 620 sites, including those under construction or planned.

The vast majority of these installations are agricultural: we are on livestock farming land which therefore offers an interesting source and a circular model for operators in these regions.

If we take the entire defined area, the proportion of cogeneration units is slightly in the majority compared to injection sites (around 60%). This is explained once again by the importance of animal farms: breeders more often choose a cogeneration model for their project, which is less expensive and allows them to create a virtuous system within their farm.

The three regions in this area developed in more or less the same way, although on different scales.

Brittany is the second region in France with the most methanization sites after the Grand-Est. The number is currently estimated at around 260, including planned sites.

In this region where livestock farming is very present, slurry and manure are interesting inputs due to their large volume despite low methanogenic power.

It is more precisely in the department of Ille-et-Vilaine that we find the majority of the units in the region (around 100 with the projects), and there also that methanization by injection has developed the most.

In Normandy , although there are slightly fewer units than in Brittany, methanization is also very well established. There are a majority of sites that operate in cogeneration, and it is also the ^3rd French region that has the most after the Grand Est and Brittany: we slightly exceed 200 with the sites in project.

It is considered that 70% of Normandy's land is agricultural, which once again makes it a very good candidate for methanization. And the projects continue to flow!

There are also many methane digesters in the Pays de la Loire region: almost 180 without counting the purification or boiler recovery plants. This region with its diversified agriculture (livestock and plant production) is an excellent source for a methane digester project. It is in Vendée and Maine-et-Loire that we currently find the most sites (almost 40 each time), but many projects are in the queue for future construction in the region.

A pioneering area of ​​French methanization, the North-West has already made good progress in its ambitions for a greener energy mix. These 3 regions have been able to exploit their wealth of agricultural land to create a more sustainable and responsible system, which should continue to grow in the coming years.

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.).