Be part of the equation

Québec’s energy future depends on increasing its production and use of renewable energies, such as solar and wind power, hydroelectricity, and renewable natural gas, also called RNG. RNG is renewable because it’s produced from methane emitted in the breakdown of organic waste, such as food and agricultural waste. Examples include table scraps, wastewater, cow dung and organic matter in landfills. They are abundant and can be continuously renewed.​ 

Processes such as biomethanation or biogas capture in landfills enable methane to be recovered from organic waste in order to produce renewable natural gas. The RNG is purified and injected into the gas network and provides energy that can be used for industrial purposes, to heat buildings, in particular during peak winter demand or when there are energy capacity issues, or to power heavy vehicles. ​ 

All organic waste that is recovered, i.e., the methane produced by its degradation, and every biomethanation project in Québec contributes to decarbonizing the energy distributed by the gas network. These projects are growing in number and enabling cities, regions, communities and businesses to repurpose their organic waste into 100% renewable energy produced locally. ​ 

Let’s imagine energy differently, with renewable natural gas. 

When you purchase renewable natural gas, you’re helping to improve your GHG balance, because your purchase of RNG replaces the purchase of an equivalent amount of fossil natural gas.  

Because RNG and fossil natural gas circulate in the same north-american gas distribution system, their molecules mix together, making it impossible to confirm the exact quantity of RNG molecules that will reach your devices. While we cannot necessarily deliver to you the percentage of RNG purchased, your share is exclusively attributed to you and is reflected on your bill. Your purchase of RNG helps improve your GHG balance by reducing the GHG emissions targeted by the fight against climate change.  

In addition, Énergir guarantees that the total amount it procures from RNG producers is greater than the quantity purchased by all its customers, as verified by the Bureau de normalisation du Québec.  

For more information on GHG emissions from renewable natural gas and how to account for them in your GHG balance according to recognized GHG emissions quantification standards such as ISO 140064, see the questions and answers on our website: “Does RNG emit GHG emissions?” “How are GHG emissions from RNG combustion accounted for?” and “How do RNG purchases impact Énergir customers?”  

Yes, if it’s produced from a renewable source. There are five main sources of renewable energy: the sun, wind, water, the earth (geothermal energy) and organic matter. Organic waste is used in the case of renewable natural gas (RNG). Things like table scraps, wastewater, manure and agricultural slurry all have very short renewal cycles.

To meet regulatory targets for RNG deliveries, Energir sources most of its RNG from producers in North America. It is working to increase its supply from producers in Quebec.

The quantity of RNG purchased by Energir from each producer is injected by the latter into the gas network of the region where the producer is located. It can therefore be injected into the gas network of Energir or another distributor in North America, and then mixed with the fossil natural gas circulating in the same gas network. So, as with its fossil natural gas supply or electricity supply, once the purchased energy is injected into the gas or electricity grid, it is not possible to track the gas molecule or electron. The gas molecule or electron is consumed by the various users connected to these networks.

The quantity of RNG purchased by Énergir reduces the quantity of fossil natural gas that Énergir buys as part of its overall supply. Given that RNG and fossil natural gas molecules circulate in the same gas network and mix without it being possible to distinguish between them, Energir has its total annual supply from RNG producers verified by the Bureau de normalisation du Québec to be at least equal to the quantity of RNG purchased by all its customers, and that the RNG purchased is of 100% organic origin (and does not include any fossil molecules).

You can request a change to your renewable natural gas purchase at any time. As a customer, for an effective date of the first of the following month, you must 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. The change request is made directly in your Customer Space by specifying the revised purchase percentage and desired effective date.

RNG combustion is not emission-free; it generates GHG emissions (CO2, CH4 and N2O) in the same way as the combustion of fossil natural gas. CO2 is the main GHG that is generated (over 99% of combustion emissions). However, unlike the emissions resulting from the combustion of fossil natural gas, CO2 emissions from RNG combustion are not included in emissions targeted by the fight against climate change. Fossil natural gas combustion releases CO2 that has been sequestered for millions of years in geological formations. In contrast, the CO2 released into the atmosphere from RNG combustion (known as biogenic CO2) was sequestered in organic matter (food waste, manure, wastewater, etc.) that renews much more rapidly. Biogenic CO2 was therefore in the atmosphere not so long ago, was absorbed by organic matter, and will be re-absorbed. The effect of biogenic CO2 on the climate depends on a variety of factors, including the source of organic waste.

Although also biogenic, N2O and CH4 combustion emissions (less than 1% of combustion emissions) from RNG must be reported in the direct emissions (Scope 1 emissions) of the person or entity using RNG in their GHG inventory. 

The biogenic CO2 emitted during combustion must also be quantified, but reported separately from Scope 1 emissions in the GHG inventory. Regulations governing the GHG cap-and-trade system (CATS) stipulate that these CO2 emissions must be reported, but do not have to be covered by emission allowances under Quebec’s GHG cap-and-trade system. 

In contrast, all GHG emissions (CO2, CH4 and N2O) from fossil natural gas combustion must be reported in the direct emissions (Scope 1 emissions) of the person or entity using fossil natural gas in their GHG inventory.  

RNG production emits GHGs. GHGs are also emitted during RNG transmission and distribution. 

Énergir has a regulatory obligation to deliver a minimum amount of RNG during its fiscal year (2% in 2023-2024, 5% in 2025-2026 and 10% in 2030-2031). If customers do not voluntarily purchase a portion of that RNG, Énergir has to socialize the cost of the unsold volumes among customers who do not purchase the minimum quantity required by regulations. Thus, if demand from voluntary customers does not exceed the regulatory threshold regarding the quantity of RNG to be delivered, voluntary purchases will not impact the reduction of GHG emissions in Québec attributable to RNG. Conversely, if voluntary purchases exceed that regulatory threshold, they enable a further reduction of GHG emissions from RNG with respect to Québec.

It is a charge that spreads the costs associated with the volume of RNG to meet the regulatory obligation and that is unsold among customers likely to make purchases. Energir has a regulatory obligation to deliver a certain amount of RNG in its system. When a portion of this RNG is not voluntarily purchased by its customers, Énergir must socialize the cost of the unsold volumes among customers who have not purchased the quantity of RNG from the regulatory threshold (i.e., 2% in 2023-2024, 5% in 2025-2026 and 10% in 2030-2031).