Waterleau has been feeding biomethane into the Flemish gas network since September 2025

Waterleau New Energy in Ypres has officially commissioned its biomethane plant and has been feeding biomethane into the Flemish natural gas network since September 2025. In doing so, the company is taking a significant step towards transitioning from a subsidy-driven biogas model to a forward-looking, circular energy concept. The biomethane produced from manure and organic waste streams is injected directly into the Fluvius gas network.

The site in Ypres was acquired in 2012 by Waterleau, a subsidiary of Group Machiels, and operated for many years as a biogas plant, with the biogas produced being converted into electricity and heat via combined heat and power (CHP). Annual production amounted to over 20,000 MWh of electricity and nearly 25,000 MWh of heat. This output was eligible for green electricity and CHP certificates, but with these support mechanisms due to expire in 2024, a review of the business model became necessary.

In December 2023, Group Machiels decided to reinvest and carry out the retrofit to a biomethane production unit. The transition took place in phases and the site remained operational during the conversion. The connection to the natural gas grid was completed in August 2025, followed by the first test injections. The plant has been fully operational since September 2025.

With a maximum injection capacity of 505 Nm³ of biomethane per hour — representing a potential annual production of approximately 47,000 MWh of biomethane — Waterleau New Energy has a plant capable of making a substantial contribution to the greening of the Flemish gas network. Since commissioning in September, 175,000 Nm³ of biomethane has already been injected. Thanks to the new CHP engine, the site remains energy self-sufficient.

The biomethane is produced from a mix of manure and organic by-products. Digestate is purified into reusable water via an RO water treatment plant and converted into recovered fertilisers, such as mineral concentrate and ammonium sulphate.

To embed the sustainability of the process, Waterleau New Energy obtained ISCC certification. This certification is essential for promoting biomethane as green gas and gaining access to the European energy market.

Waterleau New Energy and Group Machiels view biomethane as a more robust and scalable model with access to a broader European market than simply electricity production from biogas. Innovations such as CO₂ utilisation are not currently on the agenda; the focus is currently on optimising the existing plant. Although the future looks positive, the administrative framework remains complex.

Pascal Van Hove, Site Manager at Waterleau New Energy, emphasises that biomethane will not be the obvious solution for everyone:

“The transition to biomethane is promising, but it is not a quick fix. It requires significant investment, a strong team and the willingness to navigate a bureaucratic maze. For some players, this will be too great a challenge.”

Source: https://www.biogas-e.be/nieuws/waterleau-injecteert-biomethaan-het-vlaamse-gasnet

Contact us for more information

Pascal Van Hove

t.+32 491 71 36 75
e. Pascal.Vanhove@waterleau.com