Grid injection in France was first discussed in 1989 (in a project in Amiens). The national guidance published in 2004 as part of a national law on the opening of the gas market gave the possibility of injecting biomethane into the natural gas grid. Possibility was given to the central administration to carry out a health assessment.

In November 2004, five key points were identified by stakeholders for additional surveys: health, gas standards, grid system integrity, injection unit and contractual aspects. A common work on gas standards for grid injection was made between 2005 and 2007, on the basis of Lille experience. In October 2008, the National Health Agency (AFSSET) published the health assessment: it concluded that using biomethane does not face additional dangers when compared with the use of natural gas.

A National Working Group on Grid injection, launched at the end of 2008 by both the Sustainable Development and Agriculture Ministries, identified the ways of supporting biomethane production and grid injection. Feed-in tariffs should be published end of this year or early 2011.