The Greater Paris Sanitation Authority (SIAAP) and SUEZ have opened a new biogas production unit at the Seine Aval wastewater treatment plant. This facility is considered the largest of its kind in Europe.
It treats wastewater from about six million residents across the Paris metropolitan area. The project was led by SUEZ within a consortium, as part of the plant’s modernization efforts. Construction began in 2016, involving multiple companies including Vinci subsidiary Chantiers Modernes Construction.
The total cost for the project was €401 million, with funding from subsidies and loans. The new unit recovers 130,000 tonnes of sludge annually from wastewater treatment. This sludge is converted into fertilizer and renewable energy.
The facility produces up to 350 GWh of energy each year, fulfilling 56% of its energy needs. It is now self-sufficient and operates with 11 digesters, fewer than the previous 26. The new digesters use SUEZ’s Digelis® Fast thermophilic process, reducing space and energy use.
The project freed up 70,000 square meters of space on the site. Additional savings are achieved through insulation and heat recovery systems. Energy consumption has decreased by 10% compared to previous operations.
The plant’s design emphasizes safety, odor control, and adaptability to sludge variations. Modern standards were incorporated, including the use of very low-carbon concrete. It includes 34 kilometers of piping and digesters with 12,000 m³ capacity each.
SUEZ reports it has contributed to over 85% of France’s sewage sludge digestion capacity. The project supports regional environmental goals and enhances waste treatment efficiency.
Overall, the new biogas unit advances Paris’s efforts to improve sustainability and energy independence.
