Invest in France Agency international Office

Dietrich Prenger Berninghoff, Managing Director Europe, PlanET Biogas

What is your company doing?

Founded approximately ten years ago, today PlanET Biogastechnik GmbH is an industry pioneer in the manufacture of biogas plants for energy generation. We undertake all services from the planning and construction stages to the maintenance and associated servicing requirements, which arise during the setting up and operation of a biogas plant. Our 160 employees work at sites in Germany, Canada, the Netherlands and since 2007 also in France. In addition, we have local sales and distribution partners in many other countries.

When did you decide to open an office in France?

As a result of the French decree from the 10th of July 2006 to promote biogas. It stipulates that the state will guarantee an improved, fixed price for electricity that is produced from biogas plants. There is a standard price of 9 cents /kWh for plants that produce less than 150 kilowatts. Furthermore, there is an extra payment of 2 cents/kWh if the electricity is generated from methane (methanogenesis). The energy efficiency (cogeneration) of biogas plants is also promoted with an extra payment. This enables a French farmer or operator to earn a purchase price of up to 14 cents/kWh. In addition, profit is made from receiving waste. As well as the greatly improved conditions under which electricity will be purchased conditions, the French state guarantees subsidies for the construction of biogas plants.

Why did you decide to start up a site in Fougères / Bretagne?

We are geographically located at the crossroads between Brittany, the Pays de la Loire and Normandy. In northern France there is a strong agricultural production, a pronounced entrepreneurship and enough rainfall. Which are the right conditions for electricity generation and energy production from biogas.

The French government has provided incentives which promote renewable energies and consequently made it possible to make a profit from biogas.

What perspectives can a subsidiary in France offer to your company?

Compared to Germany, the French government has only recently increased financial support for regenerative energies. France being the most important agricultural country in the EU, has 28 million hectares of useful agricultural land and an enormous biogas potential that has been hardly utilised. Whereas 3,600 plants have already been built in the agricultural sector in Germany, there are only just eight in France. The prospects for growth in this industry are therefore very good. Basically, we want to expand our position in the European market, a presence in France is in this respect an important milestone. Not only is our subsidiary is of strategic importance, it also serves as a spring board into non European French speaking regions.

How would you rate the future demand for agricultural biogas plants?

Currently, we have three projects in the approval phase and seven projects in the preliminary study phase, which are being tested for feasibility. The French government action for more environmental protection and renewable energies has strengthened public awareness and with it the acceptance of alternative forms of energy production. This is reflected in the increased demand. Since the starting up of the subsidiary in Brittany, the interest in biogas plants and accompanying know-how has continually grown. Now, we organise training trips to Germany four times a year, in which 40 French farmers participate in each trip. This involves visits to different biogas plants. In our opinion it is important, that prospective buyers can get information locally and see for themselves how energy is actually derived from biogas production.

How will biogas develop in France?

During our work we keep seeing that Biogas in France is not as professionally valued as compared to Germany for example or in Scandinavian countries. Therefore, good examples are needed in order to change this and to show that biogas can be economically profitable in the long term. Once the first plant is in agricultural operation it creates references and produces a showpiece effect. Many French farmers will follow suit. I think we can expect that France will soon undergo a biogas boom in particular biogas plant manufacturers with long-standing experience will profit.

 

See other related information:

• PlanET Biogas
• PlanET Biogaz France