Biogas in France: TotalEnergies Starts Its 2nd Largest Unit in Normandy

Rhea-AI Summary

TotalEnergies (TTE) has commissioned BioNorrois, its 8th biomethane production unit in Normandy, France. The facility will produce 153 GWh of biomethane annually, sufficient to supply 30,000 inhabitants. Cristal Union, a French sugar group and 10% shareholder, will provide up to 80% of the organic materials (185,000 tons) through beet pulp residues.

The facility will generate 150,000 tons of digestate annually, which will be utilized as natural fertilizer by Cristal Union and NatUp partner farms, reducing chemical fertilizer usage by 5,500 tons yearly. The project will help avoid 30,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually. The development involved consultation with over 130 farmers, agri-food industries, and local stakeholders.

This installation brings TotalEnergies' biogas production capacity in France to over 800 GWh, reinforcing its position as a major market player while promoting circular economy and energy mix decarbonization.

Positive

• Second largest biomethane unit adds 153 GWh annual production capacity
• Secured long-term partnership with Cristal Union for 80% of raw materials
• Reduces chemical fertilizer usage by 5,500 tons annually
• Expands total French biogas capacity to over 800 GWh
• Creates additional revenue stream through natural fertilizer production

Negative

• None.

Insights

Energy Analyst

TotalEnergies' commissioning of the BioNorrois biomethane unit in Normandy represents a strategic expansion of its renewable energy portfolio and strengthens its position as a major player in France's biogas market. With an annual production capacity of 153 GWh, this facility - the company's second-largest biogas unit in France - increases TotalEnergies' total French biogas capacity to over 800 GWh.

The project exemplifies an integrated circular economy approach through its partnership with sugar producer Cristal Union. By utilizing beet pulp residues from Cristal Union's adjacent production site as 80% of its feedstock, TotalEnergies secures a reliable, local supply chain while helping its partner monetize what would otherwise be waste material. The production of 150,000 tons of natural fertilizer annually creates an additional revenue stream while displacing over 5,500 tons of chemical fertilizers.

This investment aligns with France's biomethane development goals under its energy transition policies, which provide favorable feed-in tariffs and regulatory support for biogas. The project's 30,000-ton annual CO2 reduction contributes to TotalEnergies' broader decarbonization targets while diversifying its energy mix.

For investors, this represents TotalEnergies' continued execution on its strategy to transform from a traditional oil major to an integrated multi-energy company. While biogas remains a relatively small segment of TotalEnergies' overall portfolio compared to its oil and gas operations, these projects establish important capabilities and market position in renewable gases, which are expected to play an increasing role in Europe's energy transition, particularly for hard-to-electrify industrial processes and heating applications.

• BioNorrois will produce 153 GWh of biomethane, enough to supply 30,000 inhabitants.
• The sugar producer Cristal Union will provide up to 80% of the agricultural materials.
• BioNorrois will also produce 150,000 tons of natural fertilizer per year.
• BioNorrois will help avoid the emission of 30,000 tons of CO₂ per year.

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TotalEnergies (Paris:TTE) (LSE:TTE) (NYSE:TTE) announces the commissioning of BioNorrois, its 8th biomethane production unit¹ in France, located in Fontaine-le-Dun (Normandy). It will inject 153 GWh of biomethane per year into the natural gas transport network operated by GRTgaz, equivalent to the average annual gas consumption of more than 30,000 inhabitants.

The French sugar group Cristal Union, partner in the project and 10% shareholder, will provide beet pulp, residues from its adjacent production site, to the biomethane plant, which will represent up to 80% of the 185,000 tons of organic materials used.

The 150,000 tons of digestate² produced annually by the unit will be fully utilized by Cristal Union and the Norman cooperative NatUp with partner farms, to support them in their transition to the use of sustainable and locally produced fertilizers. This new territorial installation will save more than 5,500 tons of chemical fertilizers each year and avoid emitting 30,000 tons of CO₂.

The development of BioNorrois is the result of consultation with all local stakeholders, including more than 130 farmers and agri-food industries as well as local administrations and officials, allowing the project to adapt to the needs of the territory.

“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. 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,” said Karine Boissy-Rousseau, VP Green Gases at TotalEnergies.

“We are pleased with the commissioning of this biomethane production unit located close to our sugar factory in Fontaine-le-Dun. Cristal Union has been committed to decarbonizing its activities for over 20 years. Unlike many industries, we have an asset: the ability to valorize the residues of our production, beet pulp, and industrial effluents, and reuse them to produce energy through anaerobic digestion or combustion. This partnership with TotalEnergies is a full-scale project for the treatment of pulp. Beyond the production of biogas from our production residues, it will allow us to provide our partner farmers with digestate to spread on their fields. A true circular economy project!” said Xavier Astolfi, General Manager of Cristal Union.

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About Cristal Union
The Cristal Union Group is among the leading European producers of sugar and alcohol. It is primarily based in France but achieves a significant portion of its sales abroad. The Group brings together more than 2,000 employees and 9,000 cooperative members. Its governance, organization, and operations are based on the cooperative model. https://www.cristal-union.fr

TotalEnergies and Biogas
A major player in the sector in France with now more than 800 GWh of biogas production capacity, TotalEnergies aims to continue its growth in Europe and the United States by partnering with leading companies, including Vanguard Renewables and Clean Energy in the United States. The Company is present across the entire value chain, from project development to the commercialization of this renewable gas and its by-products (biofertilizers, bioCO₂). It aims for a gross capacity of 10 TWh equivalent biomethane per year by 2030 – equivalent to the average annual consumption of 1.6 million inhabitants and a reduction of CO2 emissions by 1.6 million tons.

About TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies is a global integrated energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to provide as many people as possible with energy that is more reliable, more affordable and more sustainable. Active in about 120 countries, TotalEnergies places sustainability at the heart of its strategy, its projects and its operations.

@TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies

Cautionary Note
The terms “TotalEnergies”, “TotalEnergies company” or “Company” in this document are used to designate TotalEnergies SE and the consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” may also be used to refer to these entities or to their employees. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly owns a shareholding are separate legal entities. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information concerning risk factors, that may affect TotalEnergies’ financial results or activities is provided in the most recent Universal Registration Document, the French-language version of which is filed by TotalEnergies SE with the French securities regulator Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), and in the Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

¹ In France, TotalEnergies operates 8 biomethane production units, which inject renewable gas into the gas network, and 8 biogas production units providing electricity and heat through cogeneration.
² Natural fertilizer, co-product of anaerobic digestion.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250226628166/en/

Cristal Union Contacts

Eve-Marie Laporte – +33 (0)6 28 59 21 04 – emlaporte@cristal-union.fr

TotalEnergies Contacts

Media Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 99 l presse@totalenergies.com l @TotalEnergiesPR

Investor Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 46 l ir@totalenergies.com

Source: TotalEnergies SE

FAQ

What is the annual biomethane production capacity of TotalEnergies' new BioNorrois facility?

The BioNorrois facility will produce 153 GWh of biomethane annually, enough to supply 30,000 inhabitants.

How much CO2 emissions will the TTE BioNorrois project help avoid annually?

The BioNorrois facility will help avoid 30,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year.

What is Cristal Union's role in TotalEnergies' BioNorrois biomethane project?

Cristal Union is a 10% shareholder and will provide 80% of organic materials (beet pulp) from its adjacent production site.

How much natural fertilizer will TTE's BioNorrois facility produce annually?

The facility will produce 150,000 tons of natural fertilizer (digestate) annually, saving 5,500 tons of chemical fertilizers.

What is TotalEnergies' total biogas production capacity in France after BioNorrois?

With BioNorrois, TotalEnergies' biogas production capacity in France exceeds 800 GWh.