Vichy Community, Suez and Waga Energy inaugurated on Wednesday January 31, 2024 a biomethane production unit at the Gaïa waste storage facility in Cusset (Allier), which receives waste from the region. Since 2011, the biogas from waste fermentation has been used by a cogeneration engine which produces electricity and heat, which is used to heat the site’s administrative building.
The installation of a WAGABOX® unit increases the recovery of the energy potential of waste. It makes it possible to extract the methane contained in the biogas to produce biomethane, the characteristics of which are identical to those of natural gas. This renewable gas is directly injected into the GRDF city gas distribution network to cover the needs of residents and businesses in heating, cooking or domestic hot water in the City of Cusset.
The WAGABOX® unit, operational since October 2, 2023, makes it possible to recover 100% of the biogas produced on the site. This energy replaces fossil fuels and helps avoid the emission of 2,800 tonnes of CO2 each year. The Gaïa site belongs to Vichy Communauté and is operated by SUEZ. It now offers the town of Cusset a new source of entirely local and green energy which contributes to the decarbonization and ecological transition of the territory.