Décryptage de l’appel à projets Biomasse Chaleur pour l’Industrie du Bois (BCIB) #2
What exactly is the BCIB call for projects?
On April 18, 2024, ADEME launched a call for BCIB projects focusing on the wood industries, as defined in the INSEE nomenclature section C divisions 16 and 31. Its aim is to provide financial support for the installation of efficient biomass plants in France. Aligned with the national low-carbon strategy, this call for projects aims to support the transition to a low-carbon economy by 2050, while strengthening industrial sovereignty in the strategic forestry and wood sector.
The BCIB call for projects has 3 major objectives:
- significantly increase drying capacity;
- improve energy self-sufficiency;
- replace fossil fuels with biomass.
Two closing dates are planned: the first on June 27, and the second in late 2024.
Is your project eligible?
Biomass plants must produce more than 3,000 MWh/year of thermal energy. Priority will be given to energy projects involving the development of drying or processing capacity for lumber and industrial wood. The work must not have been started or commissioned before the application is submitted. Only equipment involved in energy production or drying, invoiced after the date of submission on the ADEME platform, is eligible.
Furthermore, applicants interested in this call for projects should focus their efforts on implementing efficient biomass plants. To achieve this, it is crucial to address 5 main aspects:
- conducting an energy-saving study before implementing the project;
- optimizing the thermal sizing of the plant to avoid reduced-load operation;
- determining a biomass supply plan that guarantees continuous operation of the plant while preserving the environment and existing uses;
- integrating advanced flue gas treatment systems to minimize environmental impact;
- providing a solid, sustainable technical and financial set-up.
The renewal of biomass boilers is also eligible, provided they have been in operation for over 15 years, the before-and-after performance comparison demonstrates a clear improvement in energy efficiency and air quality, and the renovation constitutes a substantial upgrade.
Subsidy rates
The rate of financial assistance applicable to project costs reaches a maximum of 65%, varying according to the size of the company.
In addition, in the case of renewals of existing biomass plants with no increase in heat output, the subsidy rate is capped at 30%.This is also the case for drying equipment projects.
Projects supported under this call may also benefit from additional public funding.
Project selection criteria
Every application will be assessed by ADEME from a technical, economic and environmental point of view. Each eligible project will be assigned a score out of 100 points based on the following criteria:
- Increased drying capacity for lumber
- Ratio > subsidy in € / annual energy produced from biomass (MWh)
- Quality and consistency of supply plan – Commitments to contractualize wood supplies linked to the company’s overall activity, and commitments to EU-labeled wood supplies.
- Ratio [heat for drying wood material] / [total heat production] and consistency of energy sizing with the company’s business activity
- Energy and environmental efficiency
- Project maturity
In addition, a bonus of 10 points is awarded to hardwood sawyers. Projects will be funded according to a ranking order based on the above criteria, and those considered less competitive will be eliminated from the final selection.
Prepare your application file
Gather all the documents you need to complete your application.
Consult the BCIB specifications for full details of the call for projects, and a summary of the documents to be submitted.
Source: ADEME