Renewal of MoU between Italgas and GRDF: expanding the collaboration to shape a sustainable and digital energy future
Paris, March 26th, 2025 – Italgas and GRDF (Gaz Réseau Distribution France) are taking another step forward toward the net-zero economy. Today, at the Italian Embassy in France, the two companies renewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2019, strengthening their strategic collaboration focused on innovation, digitalization, and the sustainability of gas distribution networks.
The renewal of the agreement was signed by Paolo Gallo, CEO of Italgas, and Laurence Poirier-Dietz, CEO of GRDF, in the presence of the Ambassador of Italy to France, Emanuela D’Alessandro.
The alliance between Italgas and GRDF is part of a collaborative journey that has allowed the two companies to share expertise and develop innovative solutions for the evolution of their respective energy infrastructures. The results achieved, from optimizing network management to increasing the integration of renewable gases, have confirmed the strategic value of this synergy. With the new agreement, Italgas and GRDF not only reaffirm their mutual commitment but also expand the scope of cooperation by intensifying the exchange of knowledge and technologies to jointly address the challenges of the energy transition.
The updated agreement highlights the strengths of both companies: France is a reference in the connection of biomethane plants to the distribution network, with 624 plants by the end of March 2025, representing a virtuous model of circular economy supporting decarbonization in France. Italgas, on the other hand, has revolutionized network management through digital transformation, with projects like DANA, the advanced remote monitoring and control system that optimizes the efficiency and safety of infrastructures, facilitating the adoption of renewable gases.
The memorandum will focus on sharing knowledge and exchanging new skills, best practices, and technologies to accelerate the integration of biomethane, hydrogen, and renewable gases. A specific focus will be on the digitalization of the network, the adoption of advanced tools for monitoring and operational efficiency to ensure energy security, competitive energy costs for families and businesses and achieving the decarbonization goals of both countries.
Furthermore, the protocol consolidates and enhances the value of the distribution network and their contribution to the decarbonization, resiliency, and affordability of the European Energy System.
"In June 2019, in these same halls, Italgas and GRDF signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the first time, aimed at strengthening collaboration for the development of joint activities and the exchange of knowledge and experiences in network management. I am particularly pleased to host at the Embassy of Italy in Paris the renewal of this important agreement, in order to further intensify the cooperation between the two companies, leaders respectively in Italy and France in the natural gas distribution sector and among the main players in Europe." – emphasized the Ambassador of Italy in France, Emanuela D'Alessandro. "It is precisely forms of cooperation such as the partnership between Italgas and GRDF that allow the already excellent bilateral relationship between Italy and France to further strengthen, in accordance with the spirit of the Quirinal Treaty that links Rome and Paris."
“The renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding with GRDF confirms our shared commitment to building an increasingly sustainable, digital, and resilient energy system - said Paolo Gallo, CEO of Italgas. - The energy transition requires smart networks capable of safely and efficiently welcoming and distributing renewable gases. With this collaboration, we aim to strengthen the sharing of expertise and technologies, accelerating the innovation journey to ensure that the communities and businesses we serve have access to affordable, reliable, and environmentally friendly energy.”
“We are delighted to strengthen our collaboration through the renewal of this agreement - said Laurence Poirier-Dietz, CEO of GRDF. - Sharing experience and knowledge between partners is essential to accelerate the development of decarbonized gas and optimize our network operations. As a leader in biomethane production and integration, France is showing the way to other European countries, while GRDF can benefit from Italgas' digital innovations to increase the efficiency and security of the French gas network.”
The renewed agreement envisions a structured exchange of information and data, promoting the adoption of skills, resources, and innovative solutions to meet the challenges of a constantly evolving market. Specifically, the agreement focuses on three key areas of collaboration:
- Decarbonization and renewable gases: the two companies will combine their expertise and experience in the use of biomethane, hydrogen, and synthetic methane, developing innovative solutions to facilitate the adoption of green gases.
- Network digitalization: Italgas and GRDF will share the models and technologies that have made them leaders in the sector, aiming to optimize remote management of gas distribution and improve operational efficiency.
- Evolution of gas use: New applications for gas within integrated energy systems will be analyzed, assessing the potential of hybrid solutions that combine various energy sources and enhance the role of the molecule in meeting flexibility demands.
