Énergir Development and Nature Energy join forces to co-develop biomethanation plants in Québec

December 13, 2022

A partnership that would produce one third of the province’s local renewable natural gas (RNG) target by 2030, advancing Québec’s green transition.

Montréal, Québec, December 13, 2022 – Énergir Development, hereafter “Énergir”, a diversified energy business, and Nature Energy, a world leader in renewable energy, are joining forces to co-develop biomethanisation plants in Québec. This partnership is the result of the companies’ common desire to significantly increase the amount of RNG in the Québec natural gas distribution network and accelerate the pace of development of locally sourced renewable energy.

Under the agreement, Énergir and Nature Energy will co-develop and implement up to ten projects, in Québec’s high agricultural density regions, producing up to 200 million m3 of RNG per year. The projects would supply one third of Québec’s 2030 RNG target, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 400,000 tonnes. This is comparable to taking nearly 100,000 gasoline-powered cars off the road.

A partnership with significant benefits for the circular economy
The partnership between Énergir and Nature Energy will generate investments of approximately $1 billion, creating more than 600 indirect jobs and more than 100 direct jobs once the plants are operational.

Nature Energy’s expertise, know-how and first-class biomethanisation technology will benefit Québec through its partnership with Énergir, contributing significantly to the province’s energy transition. Nature Energy will be responsible for the design and operation of the facilities, while Énergir will see to construction and development. Both partners will ensure the procurement of biomasses and will select, invest and develop the project portfolio.

By joining forces, Nature Energy and Énergir will bolster the development of the agricultural RNG sector by supporting farmers with economically viable projects via stringent plant biosafety and manure management solutions that help reduce greenhouse gases (GHG).

Biomethanisation projects support circular economy growth by capturing many of the important environmental, economic and social benefits for the agricultural sector, and for the community. This partnership will help farmers diversify their revenue streams through project partnerships, reduce their GHG emissions and provide a nutrient-rich soil health solution. This in turn will support the green transition by producing a sought-after renewable energy source, creating jobs and improving the economic vitality of local communities.

Accelerating the pace of development of the RNG sector in Québec
“We have been working tirelessly for over ten years to develop the RNG industry in Québec. With this entry into the RNG production market, we aim to further accelerate the growth of the RNG industry in Québec and decarbonize the distribution network of natural gas while diversifying our activities. It is also an opportunity to support the regions as players in the energy transition, with promising projects on their territory. By taking action now, Énergir can accelerate the development of RNG production in Québec,” said Éric Lachance, President and CEO of Énergir Inc.

“This agreement reinforces our ambitions to be a contributor to Québec’s green transition by helping meet one third of the RNG target. In collaboration with Québec’s farmers, businesses and municipalities, and our partners at Énergir, we will transform the raw materials coming from agriculture and use the resources in an optimal and safe way, turning them into renewable energy. This partnership is the largest single investment in Nature Energy’s history outside of Denmark and we look forward to partnering with Énergir to help Québec achieve its plan to reduce GHGs for the benefit of local farmers and the community,” said Ole Hvelplund, President and CEO of Nature Energy.

Renewable natural gas
While decomposing, organic materials naturally produce methane gas, which is captured and converted into renewable natural gas through a biomethanisation process. RNG is carbon neutral since the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the combustion of RNG release CO2 in amounts equivalent to natural carbon cycle emissions. This 100% renewable energy can then be fed into the natural gas grid and consumed locally. The process also produces a digestate that can be used to create high-quality compost for fertilizing the soil.

Read the Main benefits of renewable natural gas projects

About Énergir Development
Énergir Development (formerly Valener Inc.) holds a 29% interest in Énergir, L.P., which operates in various areas of the energy sector. One of Énergir, L.P.’s core business activities is energy distribution, specifically, natural gas distribution in Québec and electric power and natural gas distribution in Vermont, U.S. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Énergir Development also holds interests in wind farm operations located on the private lands of Seigneurie de Beaupré in Québec. Énergir Development works towards cleaner energy solutions in ways that are economically, environmentally and socially responsible. Énergir, L.P. acts as the manager of Énergir Development. Learn about corporate structure on Énergir’s website.

About Nature Energy
In less than five years, Nature Energy has become one of the first companies in the world to develop, build and operate industrial-scale biomethanisation plants. Headquartered in Denmark, home to the world’s most sustainable gas grid and where more than one third of the country’s gas consumption is covered by biomethane, Nature Energy is the industry leader, providing one third of the Danish gas grid’s biomethane via its 13 industrial-scale biomethanisation plants. By 2023, Nature Energy will open two more large-scale biogas plants in Denmark.

For more information:
Énergir
Phone: 1-866-598-3449
[email protected]

Nature Energy
Lars Kaspersen
Senior Vice-President, Head of Communication & Corporate Affairs
Phone: +45 32 26 53 22
[email protected]