Shell Canada is investing in Quebec’s first waste to low-carbon fuel plant in the greater Montreal area. It has taken a 40% stake in the facility, which will use technology developed by Enerkem. Shell joins strategic partners that include Suncor Energy, Proman, and Hydro-Quebec in the project, which has the support of the Canadian provincial and federal governments.
Enerkem first announced the project in December 2020, and the deal is subject to finalization of commercial agreements. The approximately CAD$875 million commercial-scale facility will be constructed in Varennes, where it will produce low-carbon fuels and renewable chemicals products from non-recyclable waste using Enerkem’s proprietary technology. Commissioning of the first phase of the facility is scheduled for 2023.
Varennes Carbon Recyling (VCR) will leverage green hydrogen and oxygen produced through electrolysis, transforming Québec’s excess hydro-electric capacity into value-added biofuels and renewable chemicals, said the press release.