Thanks to a new initiative from Wastech Services Ltd. ("Wastech"), British Columbia will benefit from a significant and stable new source of renewable energy.
Wastech has celebrated the official opening of its Landfill Gas Utilization Plant at the Cache Creek Landfill, an initiative that will generate electricity at a rate of 4.8 megawatts – enough to power more than 2500 typical households. The project uses innovative technology to trap gas that is naturally generated from the landfilling process, and transform it into a source of renewable, sustainable power.
Representatives of Wastech and its parent company Belkorp Environmental Services Inc. were joined by Jackie Tegart, MLA for Fraser-Nicola and John Ranta, Mayor of Cache Creek, to cut the ribbon officially celebrating the project's commencement.
"This project reflects our company's commitment to sustainability and our position as a leader in the provincial waste management sector," said Stuart Belkin, Chairman & CEO of Belkorp Industries Inc. "By utilizing the gas that is naturally generated, this investment adds a new dimension to the waste management practices at the Cache Creek Landfill. Wastech and the Cache Creek Landfill are vital parts of BC's waste management infrastructure, and thanks in part to our partnership with Metro Vancouver and BC Hydro, we are pleased to extend that role by generating renewable energy from landfill gas – enough to power more than 2500 homes."
Added Jackie Tegart, MLA for Fraser-Nicola: "This project is an example of the private-sector expertise present in the British Columbia economy, and demonstrates a shared commitment to sustainability. I am pleased to help mark the beginning of such an important project for the community and the region."
Said John Ranta, Mayor, Village of Cache Creek: "This investment by Wastech expands an already important relationship with our community. We value the company's commitment to enhancing its operations here in Cache Creek, and its ongoing attention to the environmental performance of the landfill."
In anticipation of new provincial gas collection regulations coming into effect in 2016, Wastech pre-emptively met its gas capture targets at the Cache Creek facility years ahead of schedule, capturing even more methane than the regulations will mandate. With the implementation of this new project, that captured gas will find an environmentally friendly end-use as renewable electricity.
The Cache Creek Landfill has served as a key disposal destination for Metro Vancouver's solid waste over the past 26 years. With the launch of its Landfill Gas Utilization Plant, Wastech looks forward to continuing to manage the well being of the environment associated with the landfill business in Cache Creek.
Wastech has entered into an initial 20-year contract to provide all electricity generated from the project to BC Hydro under the Standing Offer Program.
Construction of the Landfill Gas Utilization Project began in the summer of 2014, with commercial operations beginning in March 2015. The majority of the technology for the project was sourced from partners in BC, including the main generating equipment, which was purchased from Finning, headquartered in Vancouver. The project was funded by Wastech.
