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Benefits of renewable natural gas for your business

Renewable natural gas (RNG) is a sustainable energy solution that reduces your carbon footprint.

RNG, a recognized source of renewable energy

This energy is 100% produced from organic waste and concretely reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Switch to green energy by choosing renewable natural gas.

Ready to commit?

You could receive a grant for a 5-year commitment to just 5% RNG through our Decarbonization Support Program (DSP)1.


Switch to RNG

RNG, a decarbonization solution

A recognized source of renewable energy

RNG is recognized by the Quebec government as a renewable energy, contributing to the new greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets announced in the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy (PGE)2030, i.e. to reduce GHG emissions by 37.5% from 1990 levels by 2030.

Reducing greenhouse gases

RNG is a natural gas from a 100% renewable source that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in two ways. First, it contributes very little to GHG emissions when burned, unlike fossil fuels; and second, by avoiding GHG emissions linked to the landfilling of organic residual materials.

A complementary energy

RNG complements energy efficiency programs and the use of dual-energy, making it possible to reduce consumption and use the right energy at the right time and at the best cost.

Energy for resale

RNG is an energy that can be produced locally, and the production of RNG is under development in Quebec.
It’s a concrete solution for municipalities, farmers and even other types of businesses to recover their organic waste, while generating economic spin-offs.

Benefits of RNG

RNG replaces fossil natural gas and can be used for the same purposes. We can inject it into our existing gas distribution system to provide the same services to our customers.


Why add RNG to your purchasing profile?

An economically competitive renewable alternative

Costs are competitive² with some other decarbonization options.

Reduced SPEDE costs, since the portion of RNG purchased is exempt from SPEDE billing.

Easy implementation

No changes to your existing equipment or infrastructure already connected to the gas distribution system.

A rapid improvement in your company’s or building’s carbon footprint

Instant impact on your greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by replacing all or part of your fossil natural gas purchases.

Dual-energy electricity and renewable natural gas

By switching to dual-energy electricity and RNG, you’re choosing an optimal decarbonization solution to avoid greenhouse gas emissions from your buildings.

How does it work?
Your heating system runs on electricity around 70% of the time, and RNG takes over during peak periods of extreme cold.³

It’s a solution that ensures you get all the energy you need to heat your building while drastically reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, since the energy used is 100% renewable.

You could benefit from Hydro-Québec’s dual-energy electricity rate and grants.4

Learn about dual-energy

Entreprise 1920x747
Entreprise 1920x747

Join other committed companies

Every action big and small helps us fight climate change and make a real, tangible impact.


Switch to RNG

Society for Arts and Technology

In an effort to promote the use of renewable energy and reduce its carbon footprint, the Society for Arts and Technology has choose to replace 20% of its natural gas consumption with renewable natural gas within two years.

Read the article

ADM Aéroports de Montréal

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions has been a priority for ADM Aéroports de Montréal since a few years now. In 2020, the company purchased an initial quantity of renewable natural gas to reduce its carbon footprint.

Read the article

1920x747 GNR enfants
1920x747 GNR enfants

Our goals for the future

10% renewable natural gas injected into our system by 2030 = 1 million fewer tonnes of fossil-based GHGs.
That's equal to 250,000 fewer cars on the road.

Questions?
We've got answers.

How can I know that I am purchasing renewable natural gas?

There is no way to confirm the exact amount of purchased RNG that is delivered to your devices, since RNG and fossil natural gas flow through the same gas network and the molecules mix together. The same applies to electricity that is purchased: you can’t tell which dam or wind turbine generated the electrons that are lighting your home. 

Énergir has put in place rigorous measures at regular intervals to ensure that its total supply on an annual basis from RNG producers, as a replacement for fossil natural gas, is at least equal to the quantity purchased by all its customers. Following the end of a given year, Énergir has its RNG supply and inventory verified annually by the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ). The volumes of RNG you purchase are shown on your detailed bills for total natural gas consumption. 

Why is renewable natural gas considered clean?

Through a process of biomethanation, organic matter (food waste, slurry, manure, wastewater, etc.) is transformed into biogas, which once purified becomes renewable natural gas. 

This product reduces the greenhouse gas emissions targeted in the fight against climate change in two ways: first, by replacing fossil energy with renewable energy, and second, by recovering the methane emissions associated with the disposal of organic waste at landfill sites.

Renewable natural gas is recognized by Natural Resources Canada as a renewable energy and clean fuel that will help Canada achieve its new net-zero emission targets. In addition, according to the Government of Québec’s Regulation respecting mandatory reporting of certain emissions of contaminants into the atmosphere, greenhouse gas emissions for RNG are very low and comparable to hydroelectricity emissions (0.30 kg CO2-eq/GJ for RNG vs. 0.44 kg CO2-eq/GJ for hydro).


Why is there a difference in cost between natural gas and renewable natural gas?

The cost gap between renewable natural gas (RNG) and traditional natural gas is based on different production processes and costs, and on the availability of inventories in a context of high demand for renewable energy.

As is the case with traditional natural gas, Énergir does not profit from the sale of RNG molecules, and our teams make every effort to ensure it is supplied at the lowest cost to all our customers.

Do I need to modify any of my equipment to use renewable natural gas?

No. You don't need to buy or modify any equipment, because RNG and natural gas are interchangeable. RNG can be used for the same purposes as natural gas.

Can I make changes to my consumption of renewable natural gas at any time?

You can request a change to your renewable natural gas purchasing profile at any time. As a customer, for an effective date of the first of the following month, submit your request no later than the 20th of the current month. Requests received after the 20th of the month will be processed with the following month’s requests. Request a change right in your Customer Space, specifying the revised purchase percentage and desired effective date.

Is Énergir doing its part and using renewable natural gas for its own energy needs?

Énergir has switched to purchasing renewable natural gas for the buildings it owns. For example, Énergir purchases RNG for its eight regional business offices, its head office, the École de technologie gazière and the LSR plant in an amount equivalent to its consumption of fossil natural gas for these facilities. The same will apply for our future business office in the Eastern Townships, which is currently under construction. For more information, see the section “Understanding your RNG purchase.”

This choice directly supports our objective to reduce fossil-based GHG emissions from our facilities and is part of meeting the decarbonization targets for buildings in Quebec.”

1- For customers not subject to the new decision regarding 100% renewable energy connections for new construction.
2- RNG could be competitive with 100% electricity or hydrogen. Contact an Energir representative to estimate your needs and the decarbonization solutions best suited to your situation.
3- When temperatures fall below -12° or -15 °, depending on the region.
4- Certain conditions apply. Grant amounts vary depending on the power of the appliances installed and the work done to install them. Talk to your representative.
Grant amounts cannot exceed 80% of the premium cost associated with the purchase and installation of the appliances.
Costs for electrical work may be added to the cost of purchasing and installing the equipment.
To take advantage of the grants, you must sign a contract with your Énergir sales representative or certified natural gas partner prior to installation.
The grant amounts and program terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.