Partnership to Create Delaware Landfill Gas to Energy Operation

A partnership is creating a landfill gas-to-energy operation at the Delaware Solid Waste Authority landfill in Sandtown, Del.

The Greenwood, Del.-based Delaware Electric Cooperative (DEC) has agreed to purchase two megawatts of power from the landfill, enough to power 1,000 homes, according to a DEC news release.

Framingham, Mass.-based Ameresco Inc. will expand its existing renewable energy power plant to add two new methane-fueled engines. Those engines will convert methane gas produced by the landfill into energy.

Ameresco will fund the construction of the project, which should begin this summer with the engines operational by the end of 2013.

Engines at the Sandtown Landfill currently can produce three megawatts of power. The new engines will increase the capacity to five megawatts of power.

DEC will purchase the energy at a competitive price and member rates won’t be affected, the company said.

Delaware law requires utilities to generate or purchase 25 percent of their energy from renewable resources by 2025.