Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis switches to RNG with Waga Energy

The Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis has entrusted Waga Energy with upgrading biogas at the Arbois Landfill in Aix-en-Provence. Waga Energy will build a renewable natural gas production unit at the site, installing a photovoltaic power plant to power this facility.
The Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis and Waga Energy, a global expert in the production of renewable natural gas (RNG) from landfills, signed a contract to produce RNG at the Arbois Landfill, located in the municipality of Aix-en-Provence (Southern France). This contract follows a tender process undertaken by the institution, and won by Waga Energy.
As part of the project, Waga Energy will finance and construct a purification unit at the site, using its patented WAGABOX® technology to convert landfill gas into RNG.
The WAGABOX unit will be commissioned in 2026 and operated by Waga Energy for an initial 16-year period.
As requested by the Metropolis, the unit will be partially supplied by a photovoltaic power plant with an output of 1 megawatt-peak (MWp), which will also be built and operated by Waga Energy.
The unit will produce 188,000 MMBtu (55 GWh) of RNG per year, equivalent to the consumption of around 9,000 local homes. Its commissioning will avoid the emission of approximately 15,000 tons of CO2 equivalent into the atmosphere annually, by reducing the use of fossil-based natural gas.
RNG production will be directly injected into the local gas pipeline network and sold by Waga Energy to an energy utility, under a Renewable Natural Gas purchase agreement signed through to March 2043.
In addition, the energy utility will purchase the biogas production certificates (Certificats de Production de Biogaz or “CPB”) issued in France under a new scheme to support RNG production, which was introduced under France’s Climate and Resilience Act of 2021.
Revenues made through the sale of RNG and BPCs will be shared between Waga Energy and the Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolitan area.
As part of this project, from March 2025, Waga Energy will also take over operation of the landfill gas collection network at the Arbois Landfill, as well as of the three engines that currently valorize it by generating electricity. Replacing these engines by the WAGABOX® unit will subsequently enable an increase in energy production as well as the supply of local, renewable energy which can be easily stored and transported with existing gas infrastructure.
Managed by the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis, the Arbois Landfill can process up to 115,000 tons of waste annually – based on the latest French prefecture decree in 2024.
Martine Vassal, Chair of Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis, commented: “With this new RNG production unit, the Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolitan area pursues its ambition to generate green, eco-friendly energy. What’s more, this initiative aligns with a circular economy approach since it enables the recovery of waste which is transformed into a rare source of energy, both for our region and its residents. At present, one of our top priorities is to produce energy within our region, while protecting our environment and planet.”
Mathieu Lefebvre, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Waga Energy. added: “It is a great honour for us to have been chosen by the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis to carry out this ambitious RNG injection project at the Arbois Landfill site. By coupling the WAGABOX unit with a photovoltaic power plant, we continue to innovate in the fight against climate change, enhancing the energy autonomy and environmental performance of our facilities. Thanks to this pioneering project, the local residents will be able to consume significant volumes of renewable gas produced locally from their own waste.”