Ségolène Royal, French Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy has announced the extension of the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) contract term for existing biogas power plants, from 15 years to 20 years. The announcement was made during the Biogaz Europe conference and trade show in Rennes.
During the Biogaz Europe event in Rennes, France, Ségolène Royal, French Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy announced the extension of the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) contract term for existing biogas power plants, from 15 years to 20 years.
According to Minister Royal, the development of the biogas and biomethane sector is a priority of the French energy transition and its multi-year energy programme (Programmation Pluriannuelle de l’Energie).
The Minister submitted a draft order to the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) extending the FIT contract term for existing biogas plants, from 15 years to 20 years. CRE had recommended in July 2016 certain conditions limiting the amount of eligible FIT depending on the plant size beyond the fifteenth year, which the announced extension has taken into consideration as follows:
- To 7 500 hours per annum for installations of less than 250 kWe
- To 6 500 hours per annum for installations between 250 and 500 kWe
- To 5 500 hours per annum for installations of more than 500 kWe
The FIT rates for electricity from biogas and biomethane range between EUR cents 8,1 – 13,3 /kWh, with an energy efficiency bonus of up to EUR cents 4/kWh
