French energy company Engie has acquired a 68 GWh per year biomethane plant in Bree, Belgium, contributing to its target of producing 10 TWh of biomethane per year across Europe.
The plant is Engie’s first biomethane facility in Belgium and has been operational since 2013 in cogeneration, the production of heat and electricity from biogas.
Starting this month (Oct 2024), the plant will be the first in Belgium to be converted to inject biomethane into the local gas network. Its capacity will be the equivalent of the annual consumption of 6,000 households.
Cécile Prévieu, Executive Vice-President in charge of ENGIE’s Networks activities, described the acquisition as a concrete illustration of the company’s accelerating strategy in renewable gases.
“It strengthens ENGIE’s position by establishing a foothold in a fourth growth country for biomethane production in Europe, a renewable and local energy.”
News of the purchase follows similar acquisitions carried out by Engie in the Netherlands, and the UK.
Read more: ENGIE expands biomethane presence in Europe with Ixora Energy buy-out
Engie currently has an annual production capacity of over 1 TWh from 22 units in France, two in the Netherlands and four in the UK.
Biomethane: Explained
Biomethane has properties similar to those of natural gas and can be used for the same applications. This makes it a suitable substitute for transport fuels to produce combined heat and power (CHP), heat alone, or serve as feedstock for the chemical sector.
It serves as a cleaner alternative to gasoline and diesel, especially in compressed or liquefied forms for use in buses, trucks, and even ships. The demand for biomethane has seen an upward trend, driven by the increasing awareness of environmental issues and a growing emphasis on sustainable energy sources.
According to market research, the biomethane market is anticipated to witness substantial growth, projected to increase from an estimated $10.3bn in 2023 to reach $60.2bn by 2030 – reflecting a CAGR (compound average growth rate) of 28.7% throughout the forecast period.
European CO2 Summit 2025: Rotterdam
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