GRDF, France’s leading gas distribution system operator and a key enabler of renewable gas development, has joined Solar Heat Europe.
This new partnership reflects a shared ambition: to accelerate the decarbonisation of heating in buildings and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through efficient, renewable and complementary energy solutions.
Heating accounts for a significant share of Europe’s energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Delivering climate neutrality will require a broad portfolio of renewable technologies that can address diverse customer needs, building characteristics and regional circumstances. Solar thermal energy and biomethane represent two mature, scalable and locally available solutions that can work together to reduce fossil fuel consumption while enhancing energy security and affordability. Solar thermal systems provide renewable heat directly from the sun, delivering high efficiency and reducing energy demand, particularly during periods of strong solar irradiation. Biomethane, produced from sustainable local resources, offers dispatchable renewable energy that can supply heat whenever needed, including during winter periods and peak demand, in addition to solar heat. By combining these technologies, households, businesses and local communities can benefit from highly resilient and local low-carbon heating systems.
Frédéric Dykmans, Director for European and International Affairs at GRDF, said: “Decarbonising heat will require all relevant renewable solutions to work together. Biomethane and solar thermal are complementary technologies that can help deliver a more sustainable, affordable and resilient energy system. By joining Solar Heat Europe, GRDF aims to strengthen cooperation across the renewable energy sector and support the energy transition.”