From the end of 2026, the biogas generated by waste from the RMR site will therefore be transformed into renewable natural gas. According to estimates, the project will remove 10,000 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere annually, the equivalent of 3,000 houses that can be heated with hydroelectricity. In addition to its energy-saving benefits, the arrival of Waga Energy also represents an important source of revenue for the CMA.
“This is a project that we have been waiting for for a long time. It is between 12 and 17 million for the duration of the agreement over a period of 20 years. So we also reduce citizens’ bills. It’s a project where there are only winners,” said the prefect of the MRC Maria-Chapdelaine, and president of the RMR, Luc Simard.
The prefect of the MRC Maria-Chapdelaine, and president of the RMR, Luc Simard, as well as the CEO of Waga Energy Canada, Julie Flynn. (Katherine Boulianne/Le Quotidien)
For Waga Energy, the necessary developments on the RMR site, including the construction of a purification unit, will entail investments of 30 million. The company, which will assume all of the costs, is only at the very beginning of the process, still needing to obtain certain authorizations.
It will be the fourth city in the province, and the second in the region, to host the installations of the biogas producer of French origin. Although she admits that the market is still emerging in Quebec, the president and CEO of Waga Energy Canada, Julie Flynn, still sees some progress.
“We see that there is awareness, methane is 84% more impactful than CO2. There are three main sources of methane emissions: waste, the production of petroleum products, and agriculture. And in terms of waste and agriculture, the production of biogas and their recovery really makes it possible to reduce its impact,” indicates Julie Flynn.
The biogas produced at the Hébertville-Station landfill site will be injected into the Énergir natural gas distribution network.
