May 2026 soNews contents

Unveiled to the press on 9 April, the 11th edition of the Renewable and Low-Carbon Gas Panorama highlights France’s position as a European leader, with 15.6 TWh of installed biomethane injection capacity by the end of 2025 – the equivalent of 2.5 nuclear reactors – and 72 new sites commissioned in 2025. In total, 803 facilities are currently connected to the gas networks.

The outlook for biogas production certificates (CPB) beyond 2028 is becoming clearer, following the publication on 4 May by the Ministry of Energy of a public consultation on the subject. The sector needs a decree to be published swiftly. Watch this space...

Following the trial phase, it’s time for roll-out! After a successful pilot phase conducted between September 2024 and June 2025 with 54 producer clients in the Grand Est and Hauts-de-France regions, the Renewable Gas Service Centre (CSGR), established by NaTran and based in Nancy, is now expanding across the whole country.

As the single point of contact for biomethane producers, the CSGR handles complaints, schedules maintenance, coordinates work on injection points and keeps producers informed of progress until service is restored. Designed to manage up to 130 facilities, the CSGR forms part of NaTran’s renewable gas development strategy, which aims to support the growth of biomethane by ensuring the reliability of injection into the network.

Things are picking up pace in the world of anaerobic digestion! On 27 February 2026, during the International Agricultural Show, NaTran and the Île-de-France Regional Chamber of Agriculture signed a partnership covering 2026–2027 to accelerate the development of agricultural anaerobic digestion in the region.

Among the objectives are: strengthening support and training initiatives for farmers, experimenting with associated farming practices, and boosting local coordination within the sector. Île-de-France already has 63 anaerobic digestion sites generating 1.3 TWh per year, equivalent to the consumption of around 311,000 new homes. It also remains the leading region in the use of bio-NGV for passenger transport, with nearly 4,500 buses and coaches.

The H2med hydrogen corridor is moving forward. The new list of Projects of Common Interest (PCI) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMI) has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union and confirms the renewal of PCI status for the BarMar (Barcelona-Marseille) and CelZa (Celorico da Beira-Zamora) interconnection projects, as well as for the national networks that make up H2med.

On the French side, HY-FEN, MosaHyc and RHYn have had their status renewed, whilst HySoW, MidHY and H2ercules South-West have joined the list. The benefits include accelerated authorisation procedures and eligibility for European funding under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). Presented by Ursula von der Leyen on 10 September 2025 as one of the priority “Energy Motorways”, H2med aims to connect production capacity from the Iberian Peninsula to major industrial consumption centres, primarily in Germany.

The inter-regional CO₂ transport AMI launched this winter by NaTran has been a success in several respects. Firstly, in terms of the number of interested parties, with nearly 200 responses, whose identified needs cover the entire CO₂ value chain (industrial emission sites, recovery, anaerobic digestion, storage, etc.). Secondly, by the estimated total transport volume, which could reach the equivalent of 27% of emissions from the French manufacturing industry. Building on these findings, which confirm the need for a large-scale infrastructure project, the project is now entering its feasibility study phase. Detailed results of the call for expressions of interest…
 

How can gas be fed back from the distribution network into the transmission network when local production exceeds consumption, particularly in the summer? NaTran has released an educational animation on the subject. It offers a clear and practical way to learn about a system that has become essential to the growth of biomethane across the regions.

On 2 and 3 June, NaTran will be taking part in the Île-de-France Mayors’ Fair, a key event for dialogue between elected representatives and partners committed to serving their local areas.
On the programme: a focus on bioNGV, a presentation by the Les P'tits Doudous Association, and a look at the challenges of reducing CO₂ emissions in Île-de-France...