VALTOM and Waga Energy Inaugurate First RNG Production Unit
VALTOM and Waga Energy Inaugurate First RNG Production Unit Using a Hybrid Biogas Source
Clermont-Ferrand (France), May 13th 2025 – Laurent Battut, president of VALTOM, and Nicolas Paget, executive vice-president of Waga Energy, inaugurate on Tuesday, May 13th, 2025 in Clermont-Ferrand (center of France), in the presence of Joël Mathurin, Prefect of Puy-de-Dôme, and representatives of Clermont Auvergne Métropole, a Renewable natural gas production unit fuelled by biogas from the Puy-Long landfill, and from the methanization unit of the Vernéa cluster.
Commissioned in Clermont-Ferrand on December 18th, 2024, this first European Renewable natural gas (RNG) production unit fuelled by a hybrid biogas source is the result of cooperation between VALTOM, the public authority in charge of household waste recovery and treatment in the Puy-de-Dôme and northern Haute-Loire regions, in the center of France, and Waga Energy, a specialist in RNG production on landfill sites.
Thanks to WAGABOX® technology, developed and patented by Waga Energy, this facility valorizes both the biogas from the Puy-Long landfill, and that from the methanization unit at the Vernéa cluster, VALTOM’s household waste valorization center, located just a few hundred meters (less than a mile) from each other. The RNG obtained after biogas purification is injected directly into the GrDF network, supplying homes and businesses in the area, as well as the local CNG refueling station.
The WAGABOX® unit supplies up to 15 GWh (gigawatt hours, 51,183 MMBtu) of RNG per year, equivalent to the consumption of around 2,000 French households or around 60 buses running on BioGNV. Its commissioning avoids the emission of around 2,500 metric tons of CO2 equivalent per year into the atmosphere, by substituting RNG for fossil natural gas and thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions[1]. RNG also makes it possible to decarbonize certain uses that are difficult to “electrify”, such as industry and transport, while strengthening the region’s energy sovereignty.
This project is part of a global approach to biowaste recovery undertaken by VALTOM since 2019. The biowaste collected separately and sent to the methanizer is now used to produce RNG to fuel the trucks collecting the biowaste: a very concrete local example of the circular economy!
The project represented an investment of €3.5 million, financed jointly by VALTOM and Waga Energy, through a joint company called “VALTOM Énergie Biométhane”, which receives the revenues generated by the sale of RNG. To mobilize local residents and encourage them to play an active part in their territory’s ecological transition, a participatory financing scheme was also launched in spring 2024 on the Enerfip platform, raising €180,000.
Ademe, a public establishment dedicated to accelerating the transition to a more sober, caring and harmonious society that creates jobs, has also provided a €339,000 subsidy for the project, and “VALTOM Énergie Biométhane” is backed by Crédit Agricole Centre France to finance the WAGABOX® unit.
Laurent Battut, President of VALTOM, declares: “It’s up to local authorities to play an active part in the energy transition. This can only be achieved by and for the territories! With this innovative project, carried out with Waga Energy, we are actively contributing to the implementation of a 100% local and renewable energy mix, based on our waste.”
Nicolas Paget, executive vice-president of Waga Energy, says: “I’m proud to inaugurate this new WAGABOX® unit, which produces RNG from a hybrid biogas source. It represents a technological breakthrough and demonstrates our industrial expertise and ability to carry out complex, innovative projects. And I’m delighted with this successful partnership with VALTOM, with whom we have successfully completed a circular economy project, at the service of the region, its inhabitants and the environment.”
[1] Estimate based on the methodology defined by the European directive RED II (“Renewable Energy Directive II”) and using ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) certified emission factors for a standard WAGABOX® project in France.
About VALTOM
VALTOM is the public authority in charge of the recovery and treatment of household waste in the Puy-de-Dôme and northern Haute-Loire regions (700,600 inhabitants for an annual production of 360,000 metric tons of waste, over 91% recovered). At the service of users, it implements a responsible, innovative and sustainable waste management policy in line with European, national and regional objectives. Prevention, recovery, transport, treatment and storage are its areas of action, pursuing the following objectives: “Produce less, recover more, control costs, with a view to optimization and cooperation”.
About Waga Energy
Founded in 2015, Waga Energy (EPA: WAGA) produces competitively priced Renewable Natural Gas (RNG, also known as biomethane) by upgrading landfill gas using a patented purification technology called WAGABOX®. The RNG produced is injected directly into the gas distribution networks that supply individuals and businesses, providing a substitute for fossil natural gas.
Waga Energy operates 30 RNG production units in France, Spain, Canada and the USA, representing an installed capacity of more than 3,410,000 MMBtu (1.4 TWh) per year. Waga Energy now has 20 RNG production units under construction worldwide. Each project initiated by Waga Energy contributes to the fight against global warming and helps the energy transition.
Waga Energy is listed on Euronext Paris (FR0012532810 – EPA: WAGA).
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