What is RNG?
Renewable natural gas is a renewable energy source produced from organic waste. When this waste naturally decomposes, it generates biogas that can be captured, purified, and transformed into RNG.
The benefits of RNG
Recovers and uses methane from the decomposition of organic waste.This greenhouse gas would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. RNG production supports a circular economy by making use of potentially local resources and existing waste.
Uses of the existing natural gas network : To contribute to the province’s energy resilience by leveraging 11,000- km of underground gas infrastructure while limiting the addition of new volumes of fossil natural gas.
Contributes to the energy transition : Although RNG production requires specialized facilities, RNG development helps diversify renewable energy sources and contributes to the energy transition objectives set out by the Quebec government in the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy.
How it differs from fossil natural gas
From a technical standpoint: Similar characteristics
RNG has characteristics similar to those of fossil natural gas;
- It is composed mainly of methane (CH₄);
- It can be used for the same purposes;
- It can be injected into the same natural gas network because it is interchangeable with fossil natural gas;
- It does not require any modifications to customers’ natural gas appliances.
From a GHG emissions standpoint: Some nuances
RNG and fossil natural gas both mainly generate CO2 during combustion. The difference is where the carbon comes from. Fossil natural gas releases carbon that was trapped underground for millions of years, increasing the net amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. RNG, on the other hand, releases CO2 from organic waste (such as agricultural or food waste) that captured this carbon and is renewed in a few months or years. This carbon is therefore part of a short cycle, ranging from a few months to a few years. These emissions are known as biogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
By replacing volumes of fossil natural gas with volumes of RNG, we limit the net addition of limits how much CO2 is added to the atmosphere.
RNG: A growing part of Énergir’s gas supply
The governement of Québec has set RNG distribution targets to gradually increase the share of renewable energy in the gas network. Gas distributors, including Énergir, must ensure that they meet the required RNG volumes each year to replace volumes of fossil natural gas and comply with the regulatory obligation.
Understanding the regulatory obligation
What does this mean for you?
The RNG volumes Énergir acquires to meet the regulatory obligation may be purchased by customers. If these volumes are not fully purchased, the cost difference between the unsold RNG volumes and fossil natural gas is distributed among eligible customers through socialization fees in accordance with the rules set out in our Conditions of Service and Tariff.
Your options regarding RNG
Depending on your preferences, or the requirements that apply to your service address, you can or must purchase a percentage of RNG to replace part or all of your fossil natural gas purchase.
Voluntary purchase of RNG
You can choose to purchase a percentage of RNG based on the volume of gas you consume. With this RNG purchase, an equivalent portion of your fossil natural gas purchase is replaced with renewable energy.
- Choose the RNG percentage that works for you with one of our representatives.
- Your purchase is recorded and associated with your consumption.
This option is suitable for customers who wish to purchase renewable energy.
Continue with your current supply service
- By default, you are on the natural gas supply rate plan and, according to the Conditions of Service and Tariff, you pay the socialization fees.
- You must comply with a requirement to purchase renewable natural gas, primarily due to an agreement or regulation in effect for your type of building. Depending on the applicable ratio, you are billed for renewable natural gas for a portion or all of your natural gas purchases.
This option is suitable for customers who simply wish to continue their natural gas service without changing their purchase profile, or whose service address is already subject to the RNG purchase requirement.
To understand and discuss your options regarding the purchase of RNG, contact our team.
Understanding your voluntary RNG purchase
When you purchase a percentage of RNG, you replace part of your purchase of fossil natural gas with a purchase of an equivalent quantity of renewable energy. To understand your purchase, watch this video.
To find out more about the GHG emissions of RNG and learn about the impact of your voluntary purchase from RNG on Quebec’s GHG emissions and your own GHG emissions, see our Q&A below.
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 completely, making it impossible to confirm the exact quantity of RNG molecules that reach your devices. While we cannot necessarily deliver to you the quantity of RNG you 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?”
Renewable natural gas on your bill
The RNG supply rate is ¢85,239/m³, or $22,49/GJ, as of October 1, 2026. The rate is set annually as part of the rate case filed each year with the Régie de l’énergie. Please note that Énergir’s rate under the cap-and-trade system (CATS) is not billed on RNG supply. You will find the cost associated with your purchase percentage in Section B of your bill explaining how the amount billed was calculated, as shown in the fictional billing example below.
Questions? We've got answers.
Can natural gas really be renewable?
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) purchased by Énergir. Things like table scraps, wastewater, manure and agricultural slurry all have very short renewal cycles.
Is RNG produced in Quebec?
A portion of the supply comes from Quebec, while the remainder currently comes from other North American producers. Énergir is working to increase its sourcing from Quebec-based suppliers.
Is RNG more expensive?
Its production requires specialized facilities and currently comes at a higher cost than fossil natural gas. However, comparing the price of RNG with that of fossil natural gas does not provide the full picture. A more relevant comparison is with other new sources of renewable energy. From that perspective, the cost of RNG is competitive with the cost of producing new renewable capacity, while also offering a complementary solution to support Québec’s energy transition.
What are socialization fees?
Socialization fees are a rate used to allocate the costs associated with the volume of RNG required for Énergir to meet its regulatory obligation, but that has not been voluntarily purchased by its customers. Under a regulatory obligation, Énergir is required to distribute a minimum quantity of RNG. When this quantity is not fully purchased by its customers, Énergir must still meet its obligation. In this case, and in accordance with its Conditions of Service and Tariff, Énergir bills the cost of unsold RNG volumes to customers subject to the requirement. Also in accordance with our Conditions of Service and Tariff in effect as of October 1, 2026, only customers who have voluntarily purchased RNG at the regulatory threshold for the reference year since October 1, 2025, are exempt from these fees.
Does RNG emit GHGs?
RNG combustion is not emission-free; it generates GHG emissions (CO2, CH4 and N2O) just like the combustion of fossil natural gas. CO2 is the main GHG that is generated (over 99% of combustion emissions). For RNG, though, the CO2 emissions from its combustion are said to be biogenic because they come from biomass. Biogenic CO2 emissions are not generally targeted by climate change objectives, unlike emissions from the combustion of fossil natural gas. Although CO2 from the combustion of fossil natural gas can be reabsorbed by biomass during photosynthesis, burning fossil natural gas releases CO2 that has been sequestered for millions of years in geological formations and results in a net addition of CO2 to the atmosphere. In contrast, the CO2 released into the atmosphere from RNG combustion (biogenic CO2) was sequestered in organic matter (food waste, manure, wastewater, etc.), which renews much more rapidly, on a scale ranging from a few months to a few years. The biogenic CO2 was present in the atmosphere, was absorbed by organic residues and could be again re-emitted into the atmosphere. Biogenic CO2 is therefore part of the short carbon cycle. The actual effect of biogenic CO2 emissions from RNG combustion on the climate depends on a number of factors, including the biomass source and production processes. RNG sold by Énergir to its customers is produced from organic waste and has not led to significant changes in land use.
What ensures that the amount of RNG I voluntarily purchased is correctly attributed to my home?
Theere 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 are thoroughly mixed together. The same is true for the electricity you purchase: you can’t tell which dam or wind turbine generated the electrons that are lighting your home.
The quantity that is voluntarily purchased by a customer differs from the quantity that is physically transported to the customer’s devices.
Énergir has put stringent measures in place to periodically ensure that its total annual supply from RNG producers to replace fossil natural gas is at least equal to the quantity purchased by all its customers and that the RNG it purchases is 100% organic (and does not include any fossil molecules). After the end of every year, Énergir has its RNG supply and inventory verified by an independent auditing firm. The RNG volumes you purchase are shown on your detailed total natural gas consumption bills.
Can I change how much RNG I voluntarily purchase?
ou can request a change to the quantity of your voluntary renewable natural gas purchase at any time, provided that you comply with any agreements and requirements in effect for your building, if applicable.
To have the change take effect on the 1st day of the following month, you must submit your request no later than the 20th day of the current month. Requests received after the 20th day of the month will be processed with the following month’s requests.
To request a change to your purchase, please contact our team at 1-800-563-2021.
How does purchasing RNG impact GHG emissions in Québec?
Énergir is required by regulation to distribute a minimum quantity of RNG during its fiscal year: 2% in 2023–2024, 5% in 2025–2026, and 10% in 2030–2031.
When a portion of this RNG is not purchased by customers, Énergir bills the cost of the unsold volumes to customers who do not purchase, based on their own gas consumption, at least the proportion of RNG required under the regulatory threshold.
As a result, if customer demand for RNG does not exceed the regulatory threshold for the quantity of RNG to be distributed, RNG purchases will not have an additional impact on reducing GHG emissions in Québec attributable to RNG. Conversely, if RNG purchases exceed this regulatory threshold, they will further help reduce GHG emissions in Québec attributable to RNG.