Veolia to Run Metro Vancouver Waste-to-Energy Facility
Veolia, a global leader in ecological transformation, has announced that it will assume operations and maintenance responsibilities for the Metro Vancouver Waste-to-Energy Facility, located in Burnaby, Canada. The decision strengthens Veolia’s already well-established presence in Canada and aligns with its strategic commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
Facility Overview and Energy Output
The Metro Vancouver Waste-to-Energy Facility plays a critical role in the region’s waste management and energy production infrastructure. Currently, the facility processes approximately one-quarter of Metro Vancouver’s total waste output. This waste-to-energy process results in the annual generation of around 180,000 megawatt-hours of electricity—enough to power approximately 16,000 homes. Additionally, the facility recovers approximately 5,000 tonnes of recyclable metal per year, further contributing to resource sustainability and circular economy practices.
In an effort to enhance the energy efficiency of the facility, Metro Vancouver is developing a district energy system designed to significantly increase the total energy recovered. This initiative will utilize some of the steam generated through the combustion of waste to provide heat and hot water to up to 50,000 homes in Vancouver and Burnaby. The project will effectively triple the amount of energy that the facility can recover, offering an innovative solution for sustainable urban heating.
Contract Details and Financial Scope
Veolia’s operations and maintenance contract for the Metro Vancouver Waste-to-Energy Facility is set to last for an initial term of five years, with two potential five-year extensions available. The total financial scope of the contract, covering operations, maintenance, and capital replacement work, amounts to a potential value of up to $245 million. The contract is scheduled to take effect on March 3, 2025.
Veolia’s Commitment to Sustainability and Efficiency
Denis Chesseron, Country Director and CEO of Veolia Canada, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Metro Vancouver. “We are very proud to continue to work with Metro Vancouver to provide this safe, reliable, and essential waste management service to the region,” said Chesseron.
He further emphasized that Veolia’s mission goes beyond simply delivering high-quality service. As a global leader in ecological transformation, the company is focused on developing increasingly efficient and sustainable waste management models. Chesseron highlighted Veolia’s dedication to leveraging its worldwide expertise to implement ambitious, high-performance projects that align with sustainability goals.
“This is what we are doing here in Burnaby, in line with our GreenUp strategic program, in which local low-carbon energy production serves as a growth booster,” Chesseron added. “We are using our expertise to help develop a system that will triple the amount of energy recovered by the facility, providing heat and hot water to the local network.”
Veolia’s Presence in Canada and Global Waste-to-Energy Expertise
Veolia has been operating in Canada since 1978, providing water, waste, and energy services and technologies to both municipal and commercial customers. Over the past four decades, the company has expanded its footprint, contributing to Canada’s sustainability efforts through a range of environmental management solutions.
Beyond the Metro Vancouver Waste-to-Energy Facility, Veolia operates 60 other waste-to-energy facilities worldwide. Collectively, these facilities generate 5.76 terawatt-hours of clean electricity and produce an additional 3 terawatt-hours of heat annually. This extensive global network demonstrates Veolia’s expertise in transforming waste into energy and its ability to deploy best practices from around the world to improve waste-to-energy efficiency and performance.
District Energy: A Key to Sustainable Urban Heating
One of the most significant advancements associated with Veolia’s operation of the Metro Vancouver Waste-to-Energy Facility is the planned expansion of district energy capabilities. District energy systems are an increasingly popular and efficient method for providing sustainable heating and cooling to urban areas. These systems centralize the production of thermal energy and distribute it through underground networks to residential and commercial buildings.
The district energy initiative in Metro Vancouver represents a major step forward in the region’s commitment to sustainability. By capturing and utilizing waste heat from the facility, the project reduces reliance on conventional fossil-fuel-based heating sources, leading to lower carbon emissions and improved energy efficiency.
District energy projects are an area of expertise for Veolia, as the company has successfully developed and operated similar systems in various cities across the globe. With this knowledge, Veolia is well-positioned to optimize Metro Vancouver’s system, ensuring maximum efficiency and environmental benefits.
The Role of Waste-to-Energy in Canada’s Circular Economy
The waste-to-energy sector plays a vital role in advancing Canada’s transition toward a circular economy. Waste-to-energy facilities help reduce landfill dependency, minimize greenhouse gas emissions, and maximize resource recovery. By transforming non-recyclable waste into electricity and heat, these facilities provide a sustainable alternative to traditional waste disposal methods.
Metro Vancouver’s waste-to-energy strategy aligns with broader national and international sustainability goals, including Canada’s commitments to reducing carbon emissions and enhancing renewable energy production. By investing in modern waste-to-energy infrastructure and district energy solutions, Metro Vancouver is setting a precedent for other regions to follow in their pursuit of more sustainable waste management practices.
