Project overview
Metro Vancouver is developing a district energy system to supply heat and hot water to up to 50,000 homes in Vancouver and Burnaby. This project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70,000 tonnes per year and aligns with Metro Vancouver’s goals for a resilient region.
The Waste-to-Energy Facility processes approximately 25% of the region’s waste, combusting it to generate electricity — approximately 20 megawatts, enough to power 16,000 homes. The facility also recovers about 5,000 tonnes of metal annually.
The Waste-to-Energy Facility District Energy System project will triple the energy recovery of the Waste-to-Energy Facility by using some of the steam generated through the combustion of garbage to heat water and deliver it through an underground piping network to nearby neighborhoods.
Project Status
Connecting to River District
Metro Vancouver has initiated procurement on the construction of the River District portion of the Waste-to-Energy Facility District Energy System. Construction is expected to start in 2025 and last until 2028.
This component of the Waste-to-Energy Facility District Energy System includes construction of an energy centre adjacent to the Waste-to-Energy Facility, and the installation of an approximately six-kilometre hot water piping system from the Waste-to-Energy Facility to the River District community in Vancouver.
The energy centre will be located within the street allowance at the end of Riverbend Drive in Burnaby. The energy centre is where steam from the Waste-to-Energy Facility will be converted to hot water and will include pumps to move the hot water through underground piping to the River District community.
In addition to its primary function, the energy centre is being designed to potentially include the following:
- An educational space
- Public amenities including electric vehicle charging
- Features that provide education on the Waste-to-Energy Facility, waste reduction, and recycling
Public engagement on the design of the energy centre will begin once the preliminary building designs are complete. The public will also be engaged on plans for construction of the hot water pipe system, and measures to minimize any construction impacts.
Sign up below and select “District Energy” to be notified about upcoming feedback opportunities on the design of the energy centre and/or the hot water pipe construction.
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The location of the energy centre and the River District hot water piping system route are shown in the map below.
Metrotown-Edmonds
Following connection to River District, the hot water pipe network will be extended to the Metrotown and Edmonds town centres where the City of Burnaby is developing a district energy utility (see below). The hot water piping routes to these town centres have not yet been selected.
About the Waste-to-Energy Facility
Metro Vancouver’s Waste-to-Energy Facility has operated in Burnaby since 1988 and is responsible for the environmentally safe disposal of approximately 25% of the region’s waste (around 250,000 tonnes per year), turning it into a valuable energy source.
Learn more about Metro Vancouver’s Waste-to-Energy Facility