The bioenergy market - France (2024)

1.2 The global bioenergy market

According to The Business Research Company, the size of the bioenergy market has risen sharply in recent years, and was estimated at $***.** billion in ****. The market size is expected to continue to increase over the next few years, with a compound annual growth rate of *.*% between **** and ****. These data enable the following estimates to be made:

Global bioenergy market size World, ****-****, in billions of dollars Source: ****

The global bioenergy market is expected to reach $***.** billion by ****.

Global bioenergy production capacity World, ****-****, in megawatts Source: IRENA Over the period ****-****, there is a general upward trend, with some variations from year to year. Initially estimated at around **,*** megawatts in ****, generating capacity has grown significantly in subsequent years, reaching a peak of ***,*** megawatts in ****, an increase of ***%. This gradual increase reflects growing interest in bioenergy as an alternative to conventional energy sources, due to its sustainability and contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

1.3 The European bioenergy market

European bioenergy production capacity Europe, ****-****, in megawatts Source: ****

Between **** and ****, Europe's total bioenergy production capacity grew relatively steadily each year, increasing by **% in ** years, from around **,*** megawatts in **** to **,*** megawatts in **** .

This gradual increase testifies to Europe's ongoing commitment to renewable energies and its transition to a greener, more sustainable economy. Recent years have seen more moderate growth in generating capacity, which could be attributed to factors such as market saturation, evolving energy policies and the challenges of deploying the necessary infrastructure.

Renewable energy sources in the EU France, ****, % of total Source: Research and innovation europa Bioenergy accounts for the predominant share of European renewable energies at **%, while other renewable energies such as solar and wind power represent **%. This breakdown highlights the significant role of bioenergy in Europe's renewable energy mix.

1.4 The French market

Total bioenergy production capacity in France France, ****-****, in megawatts Source: ****

France's total bioenergy production capacity has seen a gradual increase over the period ****-****. It increased by **% from *.** megawatts in **** to *.*** megawatts in ****.

This upward trend indicates a growing interest in renewable energies, particularly bioenergy, in the context of the energy transition. However, there are some year-on-year fluctuations, perhaps reflecting variations in public policy, investment or economic conditions.

Finally, this positive trend reflects the country's ongoing commitment to diversifying its energy mix and reducing its carbon footprint.

Primary production of renewable energies by sector France, ****, in TWh Source: Ministry of Energy Transition Primary production of renewable energies in France in **** reflects the growing diversification of the country's energy mix. Sectors such as hydro and marine energies, wind power and photovoltaics continue to play a dominant role, accounting for a significant share of total production. However, bioenergies, in particular solid biomass (***), biogas and biofuels, play an important role in this energy panorama. Solid biomass, which includes wood, particularly for wood energy, is the most widely produced renewable energy in France . As versatile and widely available sources of renewable energy, bioenergies continue to play an essential role in France's energy transition towards ...

1.5 France's bioenergy trade balance

Data on foreign trade in bioenergies are scarce, but recent data on wood energy and biodiesel (***) can be analyzed.

Foreign trade in wood-energy :

Wood-energy trade balance France, ****-****, in millions of euros Source: ****

France's wood-energy trade balance between **** and **** shows an upward trend in imports.

Import values rise significantly, from *** million euros in **** to *** million euros in ****. Exports decline from **** to **** before increasing in **** , reaching a peak in exports(***) over this period.

The cover ratio, which measures a country's ability to finance its imports through its exports, falls over the years, from **.**% in **** to **.**% in ****. This indicates a growing dependence on wood-energy imports, which may pose challenges in terms of energy security.

Foreign trade in biodiesel :

Biodiesel trade balance France, ****-****, in millions of euros Source: ****

France's biodiesel trade balance between **** and **** shows a significant trade deficit, with imports far outstripping exports.

Biodiesel imports increase considerably, rising from *,*** million euros in **** to *,*** million euros in ****, an increase of ***.**%.

Exports also rise, but less markedly, from *** million euros in **** to *** million euros in ****. The coverage rate also decreases significantly over the years, indicating a high dependency on biodiesel imports.

The two graphs show a similar situation for the two types of bioenergy ...

2.1 French people interested in local energy issues

French people's level of interest in energy-related issues in France France, ****, %, %, %, %, %, %, %, %, %, %, %, % Source: ****

The results show that the majority of French people are interested in these issues, with **% claiming to be very interested and **% claiming to be fairly interested. This suggests a significant level of attention to energy issues among the French population, which may reflect a growing awareness of the importance of the energy transition and environmental challenges.

Nevertheless, a significant **% indicate a low level of interest, while only *% declare no interest at all. These results underline the existence of different levels of commitment and awareness among the French population towards energy issues.

Perceived level of information on energy issues France, ****, % (***) Source : Harris Interactive In ****, analysis of the perceived level of information on energy issues in France reveals a certain disparity in the population.nearly half of all respondents say they feel fairly well informed(***). This distribution may be influenced by various factors such as level of education, access to information, as well as individual concerns about energy and the environment.

"You monitor your energy consumption for financial reasons" France, ****, % Source : Harris Interactive The graph above reveals that the majority of French people monitor their energy consumption for financial reasons. ...

2.2 Rising natural gas prices make biogas an attractive alternative for French consumers

Gas consumer price index France, ****-****, index Source: ****

The graph above illustratesthe upward trend in the gas consumer price index over the period January ****-January ****.

This gradual increase, marked by fluctuations, suggests increased pressure on gas prices for French consumers. Initial values in January **** are relatively stable, but from September **** onwards, a significant upward trend emerges, culminating in indices reaching much higher levels in January **** than at the start of the period. Between January **** and January ****, the index rose by ** points.

What's more, from July *, ****, gas tariffs will rise again for the French, with an increase of between *.*% and **.*%, according to statements made by the Energy Regulation Commission and GRDF, the network operator, on Friday, February *. [***]

Biogas presents a major opportunity to guarantee part of our energy self-sufficiency. By ****, GRDF estimates that it will account for **% of gas consumption in France, with the potential to cover all demand by ****. Unlike traditional energy sources, biogas is not subject to price fluctuations, and is sold at around ** euros per megawatt-hour. This price, which a few years ago was considered an obstacle, is now competitive with the volatile European electricity market prices, which can reach *** euros per megawatt-hour. Indeed, biogas could be a more ...

2.3 Investment and R&D expenditure in renewable energies and bioenergies

Capital expenditure by businesses, households and government :

Investment expenditure in renewable energies France, ****, % Source: ****

Heat pumps represent the renewable energy sector with the highest capital expenditure, accounting for **% of the budget. Solar photovoltaics and onshore wind power follow with **% and **% respectively. Bioenergy, wood energy and biogas follow with **% and *% of investment.

By contrast, energies such as tidal power and geothermal energy account for a marginal share of investment, with just *.*% and *% respectively.

These data highlight a preference for established, mature technologies such as heat pumps, solar photovoltaics and terrestrial eolien, while emerging technologies such as tidal power and geothermal energy receive less attention in terms of investment.

Bioenergy capital expenditure trend France, ****, in millions of euros Source: Key figures for renewable energies **** Wood-energy is the bio-energy sector with the highest level of investment each year, although there has been a decline in investment over the years. Indeed, spending fell by **.**% between **** and ****, from **** million euros in **** to **** million euros in ****. In contrast, capital expenditure on biogas has grown significantly over the years, rising from €*** million in **** to €*** million in ****(***), with a marked increase between **** and ****. This steady increase probably reflects the increased focus on biogas technologies as a renewable energy source, ...

2.4 Growing demand for wood heating in the home

The use of wood as an energy source for domestic heating has grown significantly in recent years, reflecting increased interest in sustainable, environmentally-friendly heating solutions. Indeed, more and more homeowners are turning to wood heating for its economic, environmental and practical benefits.

Annual sales of wood-energy heating appliances for single-family homes France, ****-****, in thousands of units Source: ****

The evolution of annual sales of wood-energy heating appliances for single-family homes in France shows notable trends over the years.

Overall, there has been a steady increase in the total number of appliances sold, rising from ***.* thousand appliances in **** to ***.* thousand appliances in ****, an increase of **.**%.

This growth is mainly driven by strong demand for boilers and stoves, which account for a dominant share of the market. Boilers, in particular, have seen a sharp increase in sales(***), rising from **.* thousand in **** to **.* thousand in ****, marking a continuing upward trend.

Stoves, although fluctuating slightly from year to year, also maintain an overall growth trend, reaching ***.* thousand units sold in **** .

Single-family main residences equipped with wood-burning appliances France, ****-****, in millions of homes Source: Key figures for renewable energies **** Overall, the housing stock in France fluctuated slightly between **** and ****, from *.** million in **** to *.** million in ...

2.5 Demand for bioenergy varies by region

Bioenergy connected capacity by region in France in **** reveals significant differences in bioenergy demand by region.

Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Île-de-France and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur stand out as the regions with the highest connected capacities.

These regions could be benefiting from a combination of factors, such as favorable public policies, favourable natural resources or strong local demand for clean energy.

On the other hand, regions such as Corsica and Brittany have more modest production capacities, which could be attributable to geographical constraints, resource limitations or logistical challenges in deploying installations.

This disparity underscores the importance of taking regional specificities into account in the formulation of national energy policies, in order to foster the balanced development of renewable energies across the country. By encouraging an inclusive and strategic approach, it is possible to maximize the potential of bioenergy while ensuring a fair and efficient energy transition for France as a whole.

3.1 Number of employees in the bioenergy market

It is interesting to analyze the evolution of the number of employees in the bioenergy market in France, focusing in particular on the three main bioenergies: biofuels, biogas and wood-energy. These bioenergies play a central role in France's energy transition, offering sustainable alternatives for energy production.

Number of employees in the biofuels sector France, ****-****, in number of employees Source: ****

The trend in the number of employees in the biofuels sector in France between **** and **** shows a decline of **.**%, from *,*** in **** to *,*** in ****.

Trend in the number of employees in the wood-energy sector France, ****-****, in number of employees Source : ADEME The number of employees in the wood-energy sector in France followed a general upward trend between **** and ****, with an increase of *.**%. It peaked in **** , with *,*** employees, before declining slightly (***) in ****, to *,***.

Number of employees in the biogas industry France, ****-****, in number of employees Source: ****

The biogas sector in France recorded significant growth in the number of employees between **** and ****, rising from **** employees to **** employees, an increase of ***%. However, there is a marked drop in ****, when the number of employees has fallen to ****.

Overall, the trends in the number of employees in the three bioenergy sectors show different dynamics.

While ...

3.2 Geographical breakdown of bioenergy production

Bioenergy production by region in France in **** shows disparities, with some regions posting much higher production levels than others.

The most productive regions areÎle-de-France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Hauts-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, which together account for a significant share of total production, sharing almost half of total output (***).

These regions probably benefit from abundant natural resources and favorable policies for renewable energy production. On the other hand, regions such as Corsica have relatively low production levels, which can be attributed to their small size and other geographical constraints.

3.3 A host of committed market players

In the bioenergy sector, a dynamic and diversified ecosystem is developing to meet the growing need for renewable energy. A variety of players contribute to the production, distribution and supply of bioenergy to end-users, whether individuals or professionals.

Each market player contributes its expertise and resources to promoting the use of bioenergy and fostering the transition to more sustainable energy sources. These players include global giants in waste and water management, such as Veolia, who have expanded their activities to include bioenergy production and distribution. Long-established energy companies such as Engie and TotalEnergie are also playing a leading role, investing in the research and development of innovative energy solutions. At the same time, operators of anaerobic digestion plants dedicated to converting organic waste into bioenergy play a key role in the market's value chain. In addition, wood and forestry professionals make a significant contribution to the production of bioenergy and, more specifically, wood fuel.

*methanization : natural treatment of organic waste that leads to the combined production of gas convertible to energy (***) as compost

3.4 Market development strongly supported by public authorities

Bioenergy professionals benefit from a strong impetus from public authorities to develop their activities. Subsidies and grants are a major source of income for some professionals.Public authorities are represented by the State and local authorities, as well as public operators and establishments such as ADEME (***).these players have set up a variety of support schemes:

A closer look at ADEME's Heat Fund and Circular Economy Fund:

The Heat Fund :

The mission of Ademe's FondsChaleur is to support initiatives aimed at producing heat from renewable and recovered energy sources (***), as well as the heat networks associated with these projects.

This scheme is part of the energy transition and aims to achieve the target of **% renewable energy (***) delivered by heating and cooling networks by ****.

Ademe supports companies in their heat and cooling production projects by offering consulting services, financing for installations and feasibility studies. The objectives of the Fonds Chaleur include financing RE&R projects to make renewable heat competitive, stimulate employment and investment in these sectors, and encourage the exploration of new approaches to the wider use of RE&R.

The Heat Fund is aimed atcompanies operating in the residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural sectors. Its aim is to make heat ...

3.5 A market that attracts investors

The bioenergy sector is a market that is attracting investors, and in recent years several fund-raising and financing agreements have been signed. Participatory financing of bioenergy projects is also becoming increasingly popular, thanks in particular to online platforms specializing in participatory financing of the energy transition.

Participatory financing of bioenergy projects:

In ****, Lendosphere, a participatory financing platform specializing in the energy transition, had a remarkable year. With over *** million euros invested, including ** million raised during the year, it recorded **% growth in business, demonstrating the growing appeal of renewable energies to investors.

This trend comes against the backdrop of a historic decline in crowdfunding, underlining the resilience of the renewable energies sector. Lendosphere attracted *,*** new investors in ****, bringing its community to over **,*** members. Investors are attracted by the combination of attractive returns (***) and the tangible environmental impact of their investments. However, the platform recommends caution and understanding of projects before investing, highlighting the potential risks associated with any investment. In addition, Lendosphere has successfully launched a private debt fund in collaboration with asset management company *** IM, offering additional diversification for investors.

Examples of projects financed via the platform in the bioenergy sector:

AgriMontbiGaz methanization unit in the Sarthe region of France Methanization ...

4.1 The different types of biomass used for bioenergy

In the energy sector, the term "biomass" encompasses all organic matter that can be used as a source of energy. These materials can be exploited directly, as in the case of wood energy, or after a methanization process to produce biogas, or after chemical transformations to create biofuels. They can also be used for composting. Biomass, from forests and/or agriculture, represents considerable energy potential and is a viable alternative to fossil fuels. In most cases, the energy produced from biomass is considered renewable.

Biomass resources are diverse and can be classified into several categories, depending on their origins:

The biomass resources most widely used in bioenergy production are organic waste and wood.

Focus on organic waste:

Growth in the number of landfill sites France, ****-****, in units Source: ****

The number of waste collection centers in France rose slightly over the period ****-****, from *,*** to *,*** units, an increase of *.**% . This relatively modest increase suggests an overall maintenance of the number of waste collection points in the country.

Quantities of waste collected at waste collection centers France, ****-****, in thousands of tons Source: ****

Over the period from **** to ****, the quantities of waste collected at landfill sites in France rose by almost **%, from ...

4.2 The different forms of bioenergy

The form of bioenergy, whether solid, liquid or gaseous, depends on the nature of the initial biomass used and the transformation processes it undergoes.

Wood and its derivatives, for example, are solid biomasses, making them a major source of solid bioenergy. Biogas, produced by processes such as the biomethanization of waste, represents a gaseous form of bioenergy derived from fermentation. Finally, biofuels made from cereal straws are an example of bioenergy in liquid form, obtained from solid biomass.

*. Wood energy

Wood energy plays a key role in the energy transition, as it is the main source of renewable energy in France. It accounts for **% of total primary energy consumption from renewable sources and **% of renewable heat, far outstripping other renewable energies. To further decarbonize the energy mix, public policy has set ambitious targets for the development of wood-fired heat production. Renewable heat produced from wood, also known as"wood energy", takes different forms depending on the size of the installation. For private homes, it is used in fireplaces, inserts, stoves and log or pellet boilers. For collective housing or industrial sites, it feeds boiler rooms, sometimes connected to heating networks, which source wood from various sources such as the forest ...

4.3 The price of biogas

Biogas is emerging as a more environmentally-friendly solution than natural gas, since it is produced from the methanization process of organic waste.

These data highlight the diversity of offers on the energy market, providing consumers with a varied choice according to their environmental and economic preferences. The predominance of biogas in the offerings of Ilek and Dyneff underlines these suppliers' commitment to renewable energies, while the competitive prices offered by Minténergie and TotalEnergie could attract consumers looking for a more affordable offer.

4.4 Bioenergy: a more environmentally-friendly energy supply

Bioenergy is a promising renewable energy source, offering an alternative to fossil fuels such as oil and coal, whose reserves are gradually dwindling. Bioenergies are based on renewable raw materials available worldwide. What's more, they are rapidly renewable, thanks to the ability of forests to replenish themselves and the continuous production of organic waste by living beings. This makes bioenergy a potentially inexhaustible source of energy, provided it is used sustainably and responsibly.

In addition to their renewable nature, bioenergies also contribute to the overall reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Indeed, the carbon dioxide (***) emitted during their combustion is subsequently absorbed by plants and vegetation, forming a perpetual virtuous cycle. What's more, the use of biodegradable waste in the production of bioenergy helps to reduce pollution, while at the same time valorizing resources that are often under-exploited.According to the most recent data from the International Energy Agency, fossil fuels generated almost **.* billion tonnes of CO* in ****.against this backdrop, increased use of bioenergy would appear to be one of the major levers for combating global warming and promoting a sustainable energy system.

Another major advantage of bioenergy is its low environmental impact, thanks to the use of renewable organic materials. ...

5.1 the Law on Energy Transition for Green Growth (LTECV)

The French Energy Transition Law for Green Growth, enacted in August ****, aims to help France combat climate change more effectively and increase its energy autonomy, while guaranteeing affordable access to energy. climate change and increase its energy autonomy, while guaranteeing affordable access to energy .

The Energy Transition for Green Growth Act aims to combat climate change by setting concrete targets and action measures to implement the Paris Climate Agreement. Focusing on the field of housing, construction and territories, this law specifically aims to:

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption in buildings; Accelerate the energy renovation of housing; Combat fuel poverty among households; Encourage the use of renewable energies and sustainable materials in construction; Strengthen the role of local authorities in mobilizing their territories and reasserting their regional leadership in energy efficiency.

Here are some of the key measures of this law:

Source: ****

5.2 The European RED II Directive

Directive (***) ****/**** of the European Parliament and of the Council of December **, **** on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sourcescommonly known as RED II, establishes sustainability criteria for the use of renewable energies, in particular bioenergy. This directive follows on from a previous version in ****, and aims to ensure that bioenergy complies with rigorous environmental standards, so that energy produced from biomass can be considered virtuous.

* types of criteria must be met:

Biomass sourcing must have a limited impact on the environment, taking into account criteria such as biodiversity, carbon storage and the sustainability of carbon sinks. In addition, the directive requires reductions in greenhouse gas emissions compared with fossil fuels, measured over the entire life cycle. Finally, it stipulates energy efficiency requirements for power generation facilities.

Bioenergy producers must meet these criteria to benefit from public support and contribute to France's European renewable energy objectives. Administrative sanctions are provided for offenders. These criteria will be implemented gradually, with a transitional period for certain sectors, and will require certification from **** onwards.

It is important to note that the form of fuel - solid, liquid or gaseous- has an impact on the criteria to be met. Solid and gaseous ...

5.3 Energy and Climate Programming Act

The French Energy and Climate Programming Act (***) sets out the objectives and priorities of the country's energy policy in response to the climate and ecological emergency. This law must be published every five years, before July *, and defines various objectives:

Objectives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Targets for reducing final energy consumption, particularly of fossil fuels, as well as energy-saving obligations. Targets for the development of renewable energies for electricity, heat, fuels and gas, as well as for renewable and low-carbon hydrogen. Targets for diversifying the energy mix. Targets for energy renovation in the building sector. Objectives aimed at achieving or maintaining energy autonomy in the French overseas departments.

The LPEC also lays down the broad outlines of the Multiannual Energy Program (***), thus forming France's energy and climate strategy.

Source: ****

5.4 The APER law (accelerating the production of renewable energies) of March 10, 2023

The APER law of March **, **** aims to simplify the installation of renewable energies in order to make up for France's lag in this area. In ****, France was the only EU country not to have reached the target of a **% share of renewable energies. In a speech in Belfort, the French President announced the ambitious goal of multiplying solar energy production by ten to over *** GW, deploying ** offshore wind farms to reach ** GW, and doubling onshore wind power production to ** GW by ****.

The law, amended and enriched by parliamentarians, is structured around four main axes:

*. Planning renewable energy projects: A territorial planning system has been set up to facilitate local approval of projects and ensure their territorial balance. Prefectoral referents will be in charge of project appraisal, and local authorities will be required to identify areas suitable for hosting facilities after public consultation.

*. Simplified procedures: Measures have been introduced to reduce project appraisal times and simplify environmental procedures. A presumption of major public interest has been introduced for certain renewable energy projects, and new prefectoral referents will be appointed to facilitate administrative procedures for project developers.

*. Mobilizing land for solar and wind power: The law encourages the installation of ...

6.1 Player segmentation

• Ilek
• Total Energies
• Dyneff
• Office National des Forêts
• Ekwateur
• Mint Energie
• Tankyou
• Ademe
• BPI France
• Haffner Energy
• Tenergie
• Energies de Loire
• Novea Energies
• Unite Energy
• Groupe Vertex Bioenergy
• Energo Green
• M-Energies
• Renner Energies
• Sublime Energie
• Qair energy
• Waga Energy
• Gaïa Energie Systems
• Celsius Energy (SLB Nouvelles Energies)
• EC Bioénergie (JRS Group)
• Bioénergie du Sud-Ouest
• LMK Energy
• Direct Bois Energie
• Euro énergies (Poujoulat Groupe)
• Albioma