Against a backdrop of high tensions in the energy markets, Veolia has announced the unprecedented plan to make its water and waste services in France energy self-sufficient within five years, with 2 TWh (terawatt-hours) of locally produced energy to cover the equivalent of its entire current consumption. This is equivalent to the consumption of 430,000 French households. This energy will be 100% local and 100% renewable.
The project is the continuation of a global-scale plan launched by the Group in March this year at Veolia’s own and its customers’ installations, with the aim of reducing energy consumption by 5% and increasing energy production by 5% in two years, with a 10% impact.
“This initiative will demonstrate the feasibility and relevance of the widespread use of green transformation solutions to meet the challenges of energy sovereignty and decarbonization in France. Veolia already produces the equivalent of ⅔ of the energy it consumes and will increase this momentum, alongside public authorities, to make all of our services energy self-sufficient in 5 years thanks to new renewable and local energy projects,” says Estelle Brachlianoff, Veolia’s Chief Executive Officer.
The main levers for increasing local alternative energy production deployed by Veolia in France are:
- the widespread production of biogas through the degradation of organic waste and the methanization of sludgefrom wastewater treatment plants operated by Veolia
- increasing the production of electricity from non-recyclable wasteat sites operated by the Group (biomass, solid recovered fuels)
- the installation of photovoltaic panels on all Group sites that allow it, particularly on closed waste storage sites
- increasing biofuel productionfrom used food oils
This project complements the energy-saving measures adopted by Veolia in March to reduce its energy consumption, such as :
- accelerating the deployment of flexible electricity solutionsat facilities managed by the Group, thanks to our expertise in intelligent energy management services
- optimizing the performance of the sites operated by Veolia through more than 60 Hubgrade digital control centers worldwide
- identifying sources of waste energythat could be recovered, wherever possible;
- replacing the most energy-intensive equipment(particularly aeration systems at wastewater treatment plants) and lowering heating set points.
About Veolia
Veolia group aims to be the benchmark company for ecological transformation. With nearly 220,000 employees worldwide, the Group designs and provides game-changing solutions that are both useful and practical for water, waste and energy management. Through its three complementary business activities, Veolia helps to develop access to resources, preserve available resources, and replenish them. In 2021, the Veolia group supplied 79 million people with drinking water and 61 million people with wastewater services, produced nearly 48 million megawatt hours of energy and treated 48 million metric tons of waste. Veolia Environment (Paris Euronext: VIE) recorded consolidated revenue of €28.51 billion in 2021.
