Renewable Natural Gas for buildings and developments

Like many industries, BC builders and developers are under pressure to reduce emissions — approximately 10 per cent of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in BC come from homes and buildings. FortisBC is working with builders, the provincial government and municipalities to find the best way forward.

To reach the Province’s emissions reduction targets, we’re aiming to have nearly three quarters of the gas in our system as renewable and low-carbon by 2050. We’re already making great strides in increasing our Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) supply: We project that by 2025, we will have almost 19 petajoules of RNG flowing through our system – that's roughly 8.5 per cent of our natural gas supply.

Using our current natural gas system as a delivery infrastructure, we can provide low-carbon RNG, reducing the amount of conventional natural gas needed. This means buildings can meet strict emissions guidelines without the homeowner/building owner having to incur the expense of going fully electric and relying on one single energy source.

Answering your questions

We’re working closely with the building sector to understand your needs, and below you can find answers to some frequently asked questions by local builders and developers. Our energy solutions managers are also available to answer any questions you have and work with you directly on your next project.

What is RNG and how is it made?

When organic waste like rotting food or cow manure decomposes, it releases carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane, also known as biogas, into the atmosphere. That raw biogas can be captured and purified to create RNG, which can be used the same way as conventional natural gas. We deliver it through our natural gas system, and customers use it in their standard natural gas appliances. No special equipment or infrastructure is needed from builders or customers to take advantage of this low-carbon energy.

Learn more about how RNG is made.

Learn more about the environmental benefits of RNG and how public sector organizations are using RNG to reduce their emissions.

How are we growing our RNG supply to meet future demand?

We’re working harder than ever to meet the demand for this innovative, low-carbon energy.

We’re innovating beyond producing RNG from landfills and agricultural waste by becoming the first utility in North America to purchase RNG produced from wood waste – a potentially huge source of RNG. We’ve also entered into an agreement with Metro Vancouver to produce RNG from their wastewater facility and are looking for opportunities to replicate this with other municipalities.

Learn more about all the ways we’re getting renewable energy from waste.

As our supply of RNG grows, less conventional gas will be used

Our goal is for the majority of our natural gas supply to be renewable and low-carbon by 2050, in line with provincial climate action targets. To meet this goal, we’ll need to include other renewable and low-carbon gas options, in addition to increasing our RNG supply. For example, we’re currently working with the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus to study how to safely integrate hydrogen into our natural gas system.

Amendments to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Regulation (GGRR) of the Clean Energy Act enables utilities, like FortisBC, to take a major role in establishing and growing the hydrogen sector in BC.

We’re here to help

To learn more about RNG, connect with an energy solutions manager in your region.

¹ Renewable Natural Gas is produced in a different manner than conventional natural gas. It’s derived from biogas, which is produced from decomposing organic waste from landfills, agricultural waste and wastewater from treatment facilities. The biogas is captured and cleaned to create Renewable Natural Gas (also called biomethane).