The CRD (Capital Regional District) has hired Waga Energy to build and run a new facility at Hartland Landfill that turns landfill biogas into Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). The gas-to-electricity plant was shut down in December 2023. Waga Energy will manage the RNG facility for 25 years.
The technology, called WAGABOX®, has worked at 13 other landfills in the last five years, with 12 more in progress in Europe and North America. FortisBC buys the RNG at a fixed price and covers the costs to add it to their gas system. The new facility pays for itself through the sale of biogas.
Project Overview
FortisBC adds the RNG to the local gas system. RNG lowers the need for traditional natural gas and reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The project is expected to cut 475,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over 25 years, the equivalent of removing the total emissions from 105,000 homes in Canada over the facility lifetime. For more information on RNG, please visit www.fortisbc.com/rng.
Project Background
Beginning in 2004, Hartland Landfill used landfill gas to generate electricity for about 1,600 homes. When it was determined that the system was too small, and the equipment needed upgrading, the CRD considered its options.
A study done in 2019 found that closing the old plant and building the new RNG facility is the best way to reduce GHG emissions without expanding the landfill’s footprint. RNG can replace fossil fuels in areas where switching to electricity isn’t possible. The CRD’s Climate Action Strategy includes RNG to meet its GHG goals.
- 25-Year Equivalency GHG Comparison [PDF/34KB]
- Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Analysis of Landfill Gas Utilization Scenarios [PDF/549KB]
After reviewing the options, the CRD decided to upgrade landfill gas into RNG and sell it to FortisBC. RNG is a clean energy made from gas created by decomposing organic waste at the landfill.
