France’s largest anaerobic digestion unit BioBéarn to convert organic waste into biomethane and fertilizer, reducing CO2 emissions by 32,000 tons per year

France’s largest anaerobic digestion unit BioBéarn to convert organic waste into biomethane and fertilizer, reducing CO2 emissions by 32,000 tons per year

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 12-Jan-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — TotalEnergies (EPA:TTE), a global multi-energy company with over 100,000 employees and presence in more than 130 countries as well as the world’s 3rd-largest low-carbon LNG company, has announced it has recently commissioned BioBéarn, the country’s largest anaerobic digestion unit. The unit, which is located in Mourenx in the south-west of France, has a maximum capacity of 160 gigawatt hours (GWh) and is designed to produce biomethane, a renewable, decarbonized and locally produced gas, by converting organic waste into energy. The unit has begun feeding its first cubic meters of biomethane into the natural gas transmission network operated by Téréga and is expected to produce 69 GWh in 2023, with plans to ramp up production in the future to keep pace with the rapidly growing demand for biogas in the country.

Named BioBéarn and located in Mourenx, this new unit is fed with organic waste, it will convert 220,000 metric tons of organic waste into 200,000 metric tons per year of digestate, a natural fertilizer, and 160 GWh of biomethane. This is equivalent to the average annual consumption of 32,000 people. The project, which illustrates TotalEnergies’ commitment to promoting the circular economy, will enable the Lacq basin, a historical gas area, to pursue a local and sustainable growth. It will also avoid the emission of 32 000 tons of CO2 per year, making a significant contribution towards the country’s efforts to combat climate change.

The development of BioBéarn began in 2016 and involved all local stakeholders, including over 200 from farming and the food industry, the local community and elected officials. This approach allowed the project to adapt to the needs and potential of the territory, ensuring that it was well-received and supported by the local community. The project is also expected to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the region.

In conclusion, the commissioning of BioBéarn is a major milestone for TotalEnergies, and for France as a whole. It demonstrates the company’s commitment to sustainable energy production and the circular economy, while also making a significant contribution to the country’s efforts to combat climate change. The unit’s large capacity and ability to adapt to local needs make it a model for similar projects in the future.

“TotalEnergies is proud to commission France’s largest biogas unit and would like to thank all project stakeholders for their support. This new plant is part of TotalEnergies’ commitment to promote biogas, a clean gas that strengthens the country’s energy sovereignty and the development of the circular economy. This project allows TotalEnergies to increase its production capacity to 700 GWh in biogas and is a new step in the objective to reach 20 TWh by 2030,” declared Olivier Guerrini, Vice President, Biogas Business Unit, TotalEnergies. 

¹ Including seven anaerobic digestion sites producing biomethane for injection into the gas network and eleven biogas production units supplying electricity and heat via Combined Heat & Power process.