Dinan launches 22 million EUR district heating network  

Dinan Agglomération has signed a 25-year concession contract with a consortium made up of NGE, IGEO, and Breizhenergie to finance, design, construct, and operate a new district heating network. The 22 million EUR project will use recovered energy from the Taden Energy Recovery Unit to provide heating to buildings in Dinan and Quévert, including sports facilities, businesses, public buildings, collective housing, and educational institutions. 

The network will span 15.7 kilometers and will rely primarily on renewable energy sources, with 91.4% of the heat coming from energy recovery. To ensure continuous supply, a backup gas and biogas boiler plant will be installed to take over in case of insufficient power or system failure. Over the duration of the contract, the project is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 129 000 tons. 

The consortium behind the project consists of NGE Concessions, which is responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of the infrastructure; IGEO, a Brittany-based energy services company that will oversee operations and maintenance; and Breizhenergie, an investment entity supporting renewable energy projects. The financing is provided by Caisses d’Epargne de Bretagne Pays de Loire and Île-de-France. 

Construction, led by NGE, is set to begin in the second half of 2025 and is expected to be completed by September 2027. The investment covers the installation of the heating network, the construction of heating plants, and the connection of 46 substations that will link buildings to the system. The project is part of Dinan Agglomération’s Climate-Air-Energy Territorial Plan and aims to improve energy efficiency while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. 

Jean Bernadet, President of NGE, stated that the company will support Dinan Agglomération throughout the 25-year concession to help reduce the network’s carbon footprint. 

Read more in article from Bretagne Économique 

Read more in article from Les Echos 

Saverne develops 21 km district heating network with a crowdfunding financing model 

ES Services Energétiques and the investment platform Enerfip launched a crowdfunding campaign on February 11 to finance part of the district heating network project in Saverne, located in the Bas-Rhin region. The funding goal of 250,000 EUR was reached in less than three hours, with 31 local investors contributing to the initiative. Simon Giraud, project manager at Enerfip, described the response as unprecedented. 

One factor that may have contributed to the strong participation is the annual interest rate of 6.5% over three years, after which investors will recover their initial capital along with accrued interest. Stéphane Leyenberger, mayor of Saverne, highlighted the project’s stability, noting that it is backed by Électricité de Strasbourg, a subsidiary of EDF. 

The heating network, developed by ES Services Energétiques under a public service delegation contract, aims to promote decarbonization while ensuring accessibility for residents during construction. It will be powered by a 100% renewable energy mix, combining biomass, solar thermal, and waste heat from industrial processes. Once completed, the network is expected to provide heating and hot water to approximately 140 delivery points, including municipal buildings, schools, and colleges. The infrastructure will cover 21 kilometers by 2030, with heat production projected between 40 and 45 GWh annually. 

A section of the network is already operational in the southeast of the city and will eventually supply the local hospital, which anticipates annual energy cost savings of 1 million EUR. Beyond cost reduction, Vasil Yanev, managing director of ES Services Energétiques, emphasized the price stability offered by local renewable energy sources, which are less susceptible to geopolitical fluctuations than fossil fuels. He added that the project is designed to enhance the region’s energy independence by reducing reliance on external energy supplies. 

Read more in article from Les Echos  

Read more in article from Enerfip 

Meaux strengthens partnership with Coriance for district heating network 

The city of Meaux has renewed its collaboration with the Coriance group to continue the operation of its district heating network. On January 6, 2025, a new agreement was formalized, marking the next phase of their longstanding partnership. The goal is to make the district heating network both more affordable for users and more sustainable for the future. The renewed partnership dates back nearly 30 years, with Coriance first taking responsibility for the network’s operation and development in 1998 through a public service delegation agreement. The previous agreement expired on June 30, and following a consultation process, Coriance was selected for a new six-year term. 

Currently, Meaux’s geothermal heating network, which utilizes 11 wells, is the largest in France that serves a single city and one of the largest in Europe. As of 2025, users of the district heating network are forecasted to see their heating costs reduced by 25 to 40%. Beyond these immediate cost reductions, the project is part of a broader energy transition strategy.  

In 2026, a new geothermal well will be drilled, and maintenance work will be carried out on an existing well by inserting a new lining to ensure its durability and prevent leaks. By 2027, three older wells will be closed in compliance with new regulations. 

In addition to investments in the geothermal wells, the network will be expanded from 32 to almost 35 kilometers by 2030, connecting 1 000 additional homes. In total, the expanded network will serve more than 18 600 households. The total investment directed at these well and network improvements is estimated to amount to more than 28 million EUR. 

Read more in article from Groupe Coriance 

Read more in article from Le Moniteur de Seine-et-Marne  

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