The Claye-Souilly WAGABOX®, the largest LFG-to-RNG project in Europe
Deployment / Application site
- Location: Claye-Souilly, Île-de-France, France
- Site/Plant name: Veolia’s Val Pôle landfill
- Partners/Clients: Veolia (landfill operator), ENGIE (off-taker), CIC & Arkéa (financing)
- Date of installation/commissioning: March 2022 (operation under FiT) → May 2024 (transition to Biomethane Purchase Agreement)
Overview of the case study
At the Claye-Souilly landfill near Paris, Waga Energy operates one of the largest RNG production units in France using its patented WAGABOX® technology. Originally supported under the French feed-in tariff, the project transitioned in May 2024 to a 13-year Biomethane Purchase Agreement (BPA) with ENGIE — the longest unsubsidized BPA signed in France to date. This agreement demonstrates the maturity of landfill-to-RNG at scale, securing long-term financing and proving market value without subsidies.
Description of solution or innovation
The WAGABOX® unit purifies landfill gas via a unique combination of membranes and cryogenic distillation, delivering pipeline-quality biomethane at 98.6% CH₄. By switching from FiT to a BPA, the project showcases how competitive production costs enable unsubsidized RNG supply. Guarantees of Origin (GO) and ISCC Proof of Sustainability certificates support the green value chain for ENGIE’s customers.
Technical specifications
- Technology: WAGABOX® (membrane + cryogenic separation)
- Source: Landfill gas from Veolia’s Val Pôle site
- Output: ~120 GWh/year RNG (~409,500 mmBTU)
- Injection point: GRDF, French Distribution System Operator in the Région Île-de-France network
- Biomethane purity: 98.6% CH₄
Operational performance and results
- Annual biomethane/RNG production: ~120 GWh/year
- Households covered: ~20,000
- CO₂ emissions avoided: ~24,000 tonnes/year
- Financing: Long-term loan from CIC & Arkéa enabled by BPA framework
- Commissioned: On time (2022), transitioned to BPA in 2024
Testimonial or user quote
Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia:
Veolia is a key player in the production of bioenergy, already producing 1.6 terawatt-hour of biogas from waste anaerobic digestion in France alone. Through this partnership with Waga Energy and ENGIE, we are contributing to the development of a genuine green gas production industry at the European level, essential for the ecological transformation. This is perfectly aligned with our GreenUp strategic plan, which aims to accelerate the deployment of local, low-carbon green energy.”
Environmental and economic impact
- Displaces fossil gas imports with local RNG
- Demonstrates unsubsidized business model for landfill gas upgrading
- Strengthens ENGIE’s goal to supply 30 TWh of RNG by 2030
- Supports Veolia’s GreenUp plan for local, low-carbon energy
Future potential or plans
The Claye-Souilly model is a replicable blueprint for other large-capacity landfills, showing that unsubsidized RNG production at scale is viable and financeable.
About Waga Energy
Waga Energy (EPA: WAGA) produces grid-compliant renewable natural gas from landfill gas using patented WAGABOX® technology. With 31 units in operation across France, Spain, Canada, and the USA; and 19 units under construction. Waga Energy contributes actively to the energy transition and fight against climate change