Wepa Bousbecque invests, with Engie Solutions, in a biomass boiler that will cover 89% of its steam needs


On January 29, Engie Solutions and Wepa announced the signing of a 15-year partnership for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of a biomass boiler on the Wepa site located in Bousbecque (Northern France) which produces toilet paper and employs more than 400 people. This project completes a set of energy efficiency and decarbonization actions undertaken since 2010.

With a power of 8 MW, this boiler will replace a large part of the natural gas used until now, with a biomass production of 61 GWh of heat per year. This biomass will be collected within a radius of less than 150 kilometers around the site.

According to forecasts, by 2027, Engie Solutions will supply 89% of the plant’s heat needs in the form of steam, which will be used to dry the paper. With this locally sourced energy, Wepa is securing its supplies and thus strengthening its independence and energy sovereignty. This facility is the winner of the BCIAT 2023 (Biomass Heat for Industry, Agriculture and the Tertiary Sector) call for projects from Ademe and has received technical and financial assistance.

“The strategic partnership between Wepa and Engie Solutions is very important to us,” explained Laurent Schmitt, director of the Bousbecque plant. “This new boiler is a major investment that will contribute to the development of our site.”

As for Matthieu Bonvoisin, director of the North-East area of Engie Solutions, he indicated: “We are delighted to help Wepa secure and control its local energy supply over the long term. This ambitious and sustainable project reflects our desire to support the decarbonization of industry.” 

V. L.

Photo: Wepa Bousbecque

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