EDF Renewable Energy announced on September 5th, it has closed on the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement to acquire the Heartland Biogas Project with Heartland Renewable Energy, LLC. The 20 megawatt-equivalent anaerobic digester and renewable natural gas (RNG) facility has commenced construction activities with biogas deliveries to begin by the end of first quarter 2014.

The project, located in Weld County near LaSalle, Colorado, will use a complete mix anaerobic digester system to produce up to 4,700 MMBtu of biogas daily making it one of the largest anaerobic digester facilities in the United States.

The anaerobic digestion system converts organic feedstock and dairy cow manure into raw biogas. The raw biogas is then processed into pipeline quality RNG. After being conditioned to pipeline grade, the RNG will be supplied to Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) through a 20-year Gas Purchase Agreement (GPA).

"This acquisition marks a significant milestone in the expansion of our renewable portfolio as EDF Renewable Energy’s first project in the anaerobic digestion segment," commented Ralph Daley, Vice President, Landfill Gas Holding for EDF Renewable Energy. "Our experience gained though the management and operation of the Greentree and Imperial Landfill Biogas projects, as well as the European biogas experience of our parent company will provide the knowledge base to efficiently manage the construction and operations. We are fortunate to combine our skills with the anaerobic digestion experience of the Heartland Renewable Energy team."