Canadian RNG developer in deal with BC gas utility

Vancouver-based EverGen Infrastructure said April 29 it had reached a 20-year offtake agreement with FortisBC under which it will supply up to 173,000 GJ/yr of renewable natural gas (RNG) for injection into the BC utility’s local distribution system.

The RNG will be supplied from a new anaerobic digester project at EverGen’s existing Net Zero Waste Abbotsford composting and organic processing facility in the Fraser Valley east of Vancouver. Once approved by the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), the digester will provide enough RNG to meet the annual energy needs of 1,900 homes, EverGen said. Construction would start later this year.

“This agreement is truly a win for everyone involved – providing a solution and highest end-use for organic waste in the Lower Mainland region, creating jobs in the local community, and capturing greenhouse gases to supply low-carbon energy to FortisBC’s customers,” EverGen co-founder and CEO Chase Edgelow said. “For EverGen, it’s another important step toward our foundational goals – expediting Canada's journey to compete on the global RNG stage, combating climate change, and helping communities contribute to a carbon-free future.”

Pending BCUC approval of both EverGen’s digester project and FortisBC’s purchase of its output, the utility expects to begin receiving RNG from Net Zero Waste Abbotsford by the end of 2022, advancing its goal of having 15% of its system supply from RNG by 2030. RNG currently contributes close to 5% of FortisBC’s system supply – the proportion approved by the BC government – although the utility is seeking to increase that limit.

Last week, EverGen said it had acquired Fraser Valley Biogas, which is already supplying about 90,000 GJ/yr of RNG to FortisBC.