Scovan Engineering, Matter to develop Canadian RNG projects

Scovan Engineering and Matter Global Solutions have joined forces to develop RNG projects in Canada.

In March 2020, the British Columbia Utilities Commission approved a biomethane/RNG purchase agreement (to a maximum of $30 (€20.30) per gigajoule) between FortisBC and Matter, supplied by the Clayhurst project.

Located 80 kilometres east of Fort St John, the Clayhurst project will utilise agricultural waste and dedicated crops as feedstocks for biomethane production. Scovan was selected as the engineering, procurement and construction firm for the project, forming the basis of the partnership.

The project is the first large-scale dry anaerobic digester project in North America and one of the largest non-landfill RNG projects in Canada. It will showcase a unique partnership between technology, farming, and engineering that delivers a new business approach for clean energy in Canada.

“As a project and technology company, Matter has approached the high-growth Canadian clean energy market with a strategy that embraces partnerships and unique opportunities,” said Jay Zwierschke, president and CEO of Matter.

“Matter is introducing its flagship plant of 250,000 GJ of RNG in Clayhurst, BC, as part of its expansion plan to secure and develop RNG systems in the Canadian market.

“The engineering and project management team of Scovan has provided unparalleled value and gone above and beyond at every stage of the project. We look forward to completing this project with Scovan and developing future technology, projects, and a dynamic impact on climate change and clean energy.”

With the current strategy in place, the companies will aim to create several projects to meet the growing demand for RNG. The agreement will leverage Scovan’s vertical integrated partnership with Gemini Fabrications, a two-time award-winning fabricator in Western Canada, to manage a turnkey, engineering, procurement, fabrication, and construction of the project.

Donovan Nielsen, president of Scovan, added: “Scovan is proud to partner with Matter in the pursuit of ongoing and future renewables projects across Canada.

“We have been working closely with Matter over the past year, helping take the Clayhurst RNG project from concept to reality. Over that time, our ability to mitigate project risks and expertise in delivering industrial energy projects combined with Matter’s quality of project fundamentals has led to a collaborative and long-term value working relationship.”