Teréga quickens the pace towards energies for the future

Despite persistent geopolitical and climatic instability, Teréga, France’s leading independent gas infrastructure operator, reported sales of €494 million (excluding balancing and congestion), up 0.4% on 2022. Its net profit for 2023 is €97 million (+2%/2022) and the amount of its investments is €174 million (+7%/2022), two indicators that confirm the solidity of Teréga’s business model.

Teréga is firmly committed to CSR, and sustainable development is at the heart of its strategy and governance. Its Board of Directors and management team pay particular attention to the social, societal and environmental impact of its activities. Since 2017, Teréga has reduced its direct GHG emissions (scope 1) and indirect energy-related emissions (scope 2) by 31%. If scope 3 is included, the carbon footprint reduction target is 30% by 2030 compared with 2021. In 2023, the French and European gas network adapted to ensure security of supply during the winter, with a new flow pattern, particularly from south to north.

Teréga continued to support the development of biomethane, in particular with the connection of the AgriEnergie methanisation unit (Gironde), support for the Trifyl project, which covers up to 10% of the domestic gas needs of the Tarn region while revolutionising waste management, and for BioBéarn, the largest methanisation unit in France, contributing to the objective of 100% green gas by 2050 set by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

In 2023, the decarbonisation projects supported by Teréga received significant support, as demonstrated by the results of the CEI (Call for expression of interest) aimed at gathering the
needs of regional players. In addition, nationally and European-wide for H2 and CO2 transport and storage, the two major projects H2med and Pycasso, in which Teréga is a partner, have obtained PIC (Project of Common Interest) status.

H2med has made significant progress: the project has established itself as the first green hydrogen corridor to supply Germany, an essential step in the realisation of the European
REPowerEU plan.

Similarly, with HySoW, a hydrogen transport and storage project in south-west France, Teréga is affirming its role as a major accelerator of H2 development in the territories. At the heart of the Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine regions, this infrastructure project should help to secure energy supplies.

On 1 May 2024, a new Business Unit dedicated to CO2, headed by Antoine Charbonnier*, will join the Biomethane & Mobility Gas, Hydrogen and Multi-Energy and Digital Business Units.

In addition, with its subsidiary Teréga Solutions, the Group works on a daily basis to promote the development of infrastructures dedicated to new gases and create unified and connected systems that will enable industrial ecosystems to consume less and better.
For example, 2023 was a very busy year, with the signing of key partnerships, notably with
Solagro, to develop methanisation projects, and PHARE 2, to make Toulouse-Blagnac airport one of the first pilot hydrogen hubs in Europe.

Finally, this year also marks the start of the GAÏA 2035 plan, which should enable Teréga to
become a 100% carbon-free regional hub for the energies of the future by 2050. It is based
on three strategic pillars: the first aims to secure and adapt existing infrastructures to emerging needs and develop biomethane; the second to develop solutions for H2 and CO2; and the third to promote efficiency and excellence. Gaïa 2035 responds to new sectoral challenges and seizes opportunities linked to the energy transition.

Teréga reveals the findings of its fourth exclusive barometer, researched in partnership with
Harris Interactive since 2021.

Energy, an item of expenditure under scrutiny for French households

The steady rise in energy bills in 2023 affected more than eight out of ten French people, a trend that is set to continue in 2024. This increase has encouraged 87% of households to make energy savings, mainly for budgetary reasons (88%), although environmental motivations remain significant (72%). This new edition reveals that financial pressure remains the main driver of these behavioural changes, underlining the need to put in place support measures and design more affordable energy solutions.

Hydrogen: an energy for the future supported by the French…

A majority of French people see hydrogen as a clean and viable energy alternative, and have a positive image of it (82%). They see it as a resource that can be produced locally (87%), useful for reducing carbon emissions (81%) and renewable (81%). However, the study highlights a lack of public investment in this area, despite high expectations for its future role in industry and transport. This divergence raises questions about France’s national strategy and commitment to hydrogen as a pillar of the energy transition.

Hydrogen and industry: a long-awaited energy revolution

The enthusiasm of the French people surveyed is reflected in specific expectations in the
industrial sector: a large majority of those polled (83%) would like to see hydrogen used more as a raw material in industry. Sixty-six per cent of respondents believe that this will be a reality by 2050, demonstrating their marked optimism about the role of this energy in the country’s industrial transformation.

High expectations mixed with cautious optimism for renewable energies

Despite greater awareness of renewable and low-carbon energies, 42% of those questioned
believe that they are still under-represented in the French energy mix. The commitment to an
energy transition is considered too timid, particularly in the areas of energy renovation and
investment in new energies. Nevertheless, the French remain generally optimistic about the
possibility of a low-carbon future, with a strong expectation that fossil fuels will be phased out by 2050, especially in transport and housing.