GUYOT and Laïta launch a biomass boiler to advance Brittany’s energy transition.

The new biomass boiler, developed through a unique 100% Breton partnership formed in September 2023 between two Brittany-based industries - EVEN and GUYOT énergies - was unveiled in Créhen (22) by Côtes-d’Armor Prefect François de Keréver on Tuesday 29 April.

An ambitious project took shape when agri-food group EVEN (Ploudaniel, 29), with its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, met the innovatory spirit of the GUYOT group (Brest, 29) - to bring into commission one of the most efficient biomass boilers in Brittany. With 9 MW of power, the boiler will supply over two-thirds of the heat required for milk processing at the Créhen facility.

17,000 tonnes of waste wood per year, collected by GUYOT environment from across the Breton area, will be repurposed to produce 57,600 MWh of low-carbon energy - enough to heat 5,600 households.

This project represents an investment of 16 million euros by GUYOT énergies, assisted by 4,245 million euros of financial support from ADEME.

Following initial trials, the boiler will be supplying 72% of the steam required by the various milk processing units at the site within a few weeks. The cooperative intends to utilise 100% of the low-carbon energy produced by the biomass boiler, with the remaining requirements supplied by the existing gas boilers. To accomplish this, steam production is regulated and optimised via a feeder tank (a connection point between the three boilers) and a new controller installed on site.

The biomass boiler represents the achievement of Laïta’s commitment to reduce the GHG emissions from its industrial units by 42% by 2030.