GazoTech's Bio-Méthane Provence project in Gardanne, France has concluded a voluntary public consultation with strong local support, advancing the high-temperature pyrolysis facility toward environmental authorisation application.
The six-week consultation, overseen by France's National Commission for Public Debate, took place May-June 2026. Although voluntary, the process reflects GazoTech's strategy to engage local stakeholders early ahead of formal permitting.
Bio-Méthane Provence will redevelop the site of a former 600 MW coal-fired power plant, converting recovered wood into renewable natural gas and biocarbon. The facility will process approximately 115,000 tonnes of end-of-life recovered wood annually, producing 230 GWh of renewable gas for grid injection and 12,000 tonnes of biocarbon for industrial applications.
Commercial operations are targeted for H2 2029, subject to permitting and project financing. The project is being developed by GazoTech with local partner SPEG (established by workers from the former Centrale de Provence) and utilises CHAR Tech's high-temperature pyrolysis platform.
'Choosing to undertake a voluntary preliminary consultation was a deliberate choice from day one,' said Maël Disa, CEO of GazoTech. 'Engaging early, listening to local stakeholders and answering every legitimate question is the right way to develop industrial projects of this nature in France.'
CHAR Tech’s Bio-Méthane Provence project clears French public consultation
