The Municipality of Chatham-Kent and the Public Utilities Commission are continuing to advance the Waste to Energy Project, an initiative designed to turn organic industrial waste into Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) using anaerobic digestion technology. This project supports the community’s commitment to environmental sustainability, climate action, and responsible waste management.
Why This Project Matters
Reduces landfill use: Organic industrial, commercial, and institutional waste would be converted into clean energy instead of being disposed of in landfills.
Supports climate goals: The project aligns with Chatham-Kent’s 2019 Climate Emergency declaration and ongoing Climate Action Plan work.
Creates renewable energy: Producing RNG can help offset future municipal operating costs.
Builds regional leadership: The facility would position Chatham-Kent as a regional hub for sustainable waste processing, similar to Greenfield Global’s successful plant in Quebec that serves more than 30 municipalities.
Project Progress to Date
The project has undergone several years of planning, technical studies, and financial reviews:
Council has provided multiple approvals between 2021 and 2025 to continue engineering design, financial due diligence, and legal structuring.
The project has secured approximately $60 million in federal and regional funding.
Engineering work and cost estimates are nearing completion, ahead of a Go/No‑Go decision on April 27, 2026.
The total estimated project cost is $160 million, with the final engineered estimate expected before the April decision.
How the Project Will Be Structured
To manage Chatham-Kent’s investment and ensure strong governance, the Municipality has created a Municipal Services Corporation (MSC).
Why a Municipal Services Corporation?
Ensures the project is overseen by a board with the necessary technical, operational, and financial expertise.
Allows the municipality to effectively hold and manage its 40% ownership in the project.
Provides access to financing mechanisms that the municipality cannot use directly under the Municipal Act.
Under this structure:
40% of the project would be owned by Chatham-Kent (through the MSC).
60% would be owned by Greenfield Global.
Financing the Project
In preparation for a potential future investment decision:
The Municipality has received approval for $25 million in financing from Infrastructure Ontario, which offers predictable, long‑term borrowing options.
The remaining required debt (estimated at $60–70 million) would come from commercial lenders.
This financing approach ensures the project stays within federal funding rules that limit the amount of borrowing from public sources.
Next Steps Before the Final Decision
To ensure readiness for the April 27th, 2026, Council decision, several administrative steps must be completed:
Finalize all required agreements (e.g., shareholder and operating agreements).
Finalize the financial business case.
Receive the final third-party analysis being completed by Deloitte.
The final decision will be made by Council on April 27, 2026, based on completed engineering, cost estimates, and a third‑party financial review.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent and the Public Utilities Commission are continuing to advance the Waste to Energy Project, an initiative designed to turn organic industrial waste into Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) using anaerobic digestion technology. This project supports the community’s commitment to environmental sustainability, climate action, and responsible waste management.
Why This Project Matters
Reduces landfill use: Organic industrial, commercial, and institutional waste would be converted into clean energy instead of being disposed of in landfills.
Supports climate goals: The project aligns with Chatham-Kent’s 2019 Climate Emergency declaration and ongoing Climate Action Plan work.
Creates renewable energy: Producing RNG can help offset future municipal operating costs.
Builds regional leadership: The facility would position Chatham-Kent as a regional hub for sustainable waste processing, similar to Greenfield Global’s successful plant in Quebec that serves more than 30 municipalities.
Project Progress to Date
The project has undergone several years of planning, technical studies, and financial reviews:
Council has provided multiple approvals between 2021 and 2025 to continue engineering design, financial due diligence, and legal structuring.
The project has secured approximately $60 million in federal and regional funding.
Engineering work and cost estimates are nearing completion, ahead of a Go/No‑Go decision on April 27, 2026.
The total estimated project cost is $160 million, with the final engineered estimate expected before the April decision.
How the Project Will Be Structured
To manage Chatham-Kent’s investment and ensure strong governance, the Municipality has created a Municipal Services Corporation (MSC).
Why a Municipal Services Corporation?
Ensures the project is overseen by a board with the necessary technical, operational, and financial expertise.
Allows the municipality to effectively hold and manage its 40% ownership in the project.
Provides access to financing mechanisms that the municipality cannot use directly under the Municipal Act.
Under this structure:
40% of the project would be owned by Chatham-Kent (through the MSC).
60% would be owned by Greenfield Global.
Financing the Project
In preparation for a potential future investment decision:
The Municipality has received approval for $25 million in financing from Infrastructure Ontario, which offers predictable, long‑term borrowing options.
The remaining required debt (estimated at $60–70 million) would come from commercial lenders.
This financing approach ensures the project stays within federal funding rules that limit the amount of borrowing from public sources.
Next Steps Before the Final Decision
To ensure readiness for the April 27th, 2026, Council decision, several administrative steps must be completed:
Finalize all required agreements (e.g., shareholder and operating agreements).
Finalize the financial business case.
Receive the final third-party analysis being completed by Deloitte.
The final decision will be made by Council on April 27, 2026, based on completed engineering, cost estimates, and a third‑party financial review.
To ensure residents have the opportunity to share feedback before Council makes a final decision on April 27, 2026, the Municipality is inviting public comments on the project.
We welcome comments, questions, and perspectives from residents regarding:
The proposed partnership between Chatham-Kent and Greenfield Global.
Any community considerations or impacts you believe should be addressed as the project advances.
The benefits of having new sources of revenues to reduce reliance on tax increases and wastewater rate increases.
The benefits of supporting corn producers in Chatham-Kent.
