As it pursues actions to support the growth of a green economy, the Government of Quebec is announcing $3M in financial support under the Technoclimat program. In addition, to support this project the Government of Canada is providing a repayable contribution of $1.7M under the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program of Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED). Under this project totalling $12M, the new Agri-Énergie Warwick cooperative will build a biomethanization complex in the coming months, under the coordination of Coop Carbone.
A local initiative to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
The new cooperative brings together a dozen agricultural producers in the municipality of Warwick. The biomethanization complex will give value to their agricultural residues in the local production of a renewable energy: the renewable natural gas (RNG).
The biomethanization complex will produce 2.3 million cubic metres of RNG each year, to be injected into the Énergir network, representing an annual reduction of approximately 6500 equivalent tonnes of CO2, equivalent to removing approximately 1500 cars from Quebec roads. The project will enable approximately 25,000 tonnes of farm slurry and manure to be treated every year. Approximately 25,000 tonnes of agri-food co-substrates and sludge (municipal and industrial) will also be treated.
Biomethanization enables the production of RNG from various organic materials. In the agricultural sector, the technology enables a reduction in GHG emissions that come, for example, from manure or farm slurry, while reducing emissions resulting from the use of fossil-based natural gas and synthetic fertilizers. In addition to RNG, the process is also expected to produce a high-quality fertilizer material that will be returned to member agricultural producers' lands.
Quotes
"This very promising project is right in line with several of our government's priorities. In addition to concretely reducing our carbon footprint, it will enable us to come full circle in the circular economy and push forward an energy transition that is already well under way. Quebec is rich in talented individuals who are developing solutions to make our entire territory greener. For our government, it is essential to encourage such initiatives, and we are proud to do so."
Jonatan Julien, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Minister Responsible for the Côte-Nord Region
"Our government is proud to accompany Coop Agri-Énergie Warwick as it establishes this new complex. With this support, we are leveraging this business's ability to innovate and will to progress so that it can make a name for itself in constantly evolving markets. Today's investment will also lead to the development of a greener and more inclusive economy and help create quality jobs."
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages
"In Quebec, regional development and healthy resource management are closely linked. The establishment of a cooperative dedicated to the biomethanization of liquid manure thus proves to be excellent news, not only for agricultural producers in the region, but also for the environment and the fight against climate change. I am proud to see the first renewable natural gas production cooperative in Quebec open in Centre-du-Québec. Congratulations on this initiative, which will help to showcase the region's strengths!"
André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Minister Responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region
"I am pleased to see the region's first agricultural biomethanization cooperative and first biomethanization unit come into being. This technology with double the green power is enabling Quebec to make progress in its fight against climate change. In fact, in addition to generating renewable energy, this facility will produce high-quality fertilizer materials locally for regional producers to make use of in their fields, bringing us full circle."
Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change
"We are placing Quebec's regions at the heart of our actions. By supporting Coop Agri-Énergie Warwick, we are reiterating our commitment to supporting businesses that innovate, create value and strengthen a sector that affects the environment and that is promising for the region and even beyond."
Élisabeth Brière, Member of Parliament for Sherbrooke and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages
"This factory project in my riding is a source of pride. It proves that our entrepreneurs are innovators working in line with our objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the production of renewable natural gas."
Sébastien Schneeberger, Member for Drummond-Bois-Francs
"The members of Coop Agri-Énergie Warwick are proud to participate in this first agricultural biomethanization project to produce renewable energy. We thank the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada for their support. Their involvement conveys the biomethanization cooperative's importance in supporting the agricultural sector and acting on the climate emergency. Together, we have laid the first brick, and we hope this project will inspire many others in our regions, for agricultural producers and in collaboration with our governments."
Urs Studhalter, President, Coop Agri-Énergie Warwick
Quick facts
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Coop Carbone is a not-for-profit solidarity cooperative with a mission to help fight climate change by supporting collaborative projects. It helps its members and partners to reduce their GHG emissions in Quebec and take advantage of opportunities on the carbon market. It collaborates with technology leaders, thus contributing to the growth of Quebec's green economy. It develops, builds and operates Warwick's biomethanization complex.
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The biomethanization complex is planned to enter into service in fall 2020.
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The Technoclimat program aims to support innovation in energy and GHG emissions reductions in Quebec.
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CED's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program is for entrepreneurs innovating to grow their business and make it more competitive, as well as regional economic stakeholders helping to create an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation and growth for all in all regions.
Contacts
- Claude Potvin
Communications Director and Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Côte-Nord Region
Tel.: 418-643-7295
- Laurence Voyzelle
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Tel.: 418-380-2525
Cell: 418-456-1461
- Louis-Julien Dufresne
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change
Tel.: 418-521-3911
- Jeremy Ghio
Press secretary
Office of the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages
