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.
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.
How is renewable natural gas produced?
Biomethanation
Organic waste is collected and transported to a biomethanation plant where it is converted into energy, i.e. renewable natural gas (RNG).
Injection into the network
RNG is injected into the traditional natural gas network. Renewable and traditional natural gas molecules intermingle and are interchangeable.
Purchasing RNG
By purchasing RNG, you reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in Quebec and help drive the development of the RNG sector. Although we can’t guarantee that RNG is supplying your buildings, a portion of the RNG that flows through the network is attributed to you. And only you can claim that you are improving your carbon footprint with the purchase of this renewable energy.
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
Our goals for the future
10% of renewable natural gas in our network by 2030 = a reduction of 1 million tons of GHG
that’s equal to 250,000 fewer cars on the road
Questions?
We've got answers.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.