SUMMARY

At peak production, Dicklands Farms will supply enough renewable natural gas for 2,000 homes.

By Dale Lunan

BC utility FortisBC said April 25 it is teaming with Dicklands Farms in Chilliwack to bring more renewable natural gas (RNG) into its gas distribution system.

The Lower Mainland dairy farm will combine anaerobic digestion of manure and other locally-sourced organic food waste with biogas upgrading to produce, at peak production, enough RNG to meet the annual gas needs of about 2,000 BC homes.

“Turning our agricultural manure and local food waste into RNG, organic fertiliser pellets and clean water is a great way for us to diversify the farm’s revenue streams, while also operating the farm in a more sustainable manner in line with our values,” Dicklands Farms owner George Dick said.

More than 11,500 BC homes and businesses are subscribed to FortisBC’s RNG program, and by 2030 the utility projects there will be enough RNG and other low-carbon gases in its system to meet the annual needs of nearly 345,000 homes.