Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District filed an application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission pursuant to section 88(3) of the Utilities Commission Act seeking approval for exemption from Part 3 of the Act. This application is related to the Waste-to-Energy Facility District Energy System, where thermal energy recovered from the facility would be delivered to the City of Burnaby for use in the city’s planned district energy utility systems (primarily in the Edmonds and Metrotown neighbourhoods).
Visit
bcuc.com/get-involved to
submit a letter of comment by
November 20, 2025 (Under “Proceeding name”, select “GVS&DD Exemption under Section 88(3) of the UCA”).
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 about 25% of the region’s waste. Steam produced from the combustion of garbage is used to generate electricity — approximately 180,000 MWh/year, 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 neighbourhoods.
Connecting to the River District
Construction is starting for the River District portion of the Waste-to-Energy Facility District Energy System. Construction is expected to last until 2028 and includes an energy centre adjacent to the Waste-to-Energy Facility and the installation of a six-kilometer hot water piping system from the Waste-to-Energy Facility to the River District community in Vancouver.
The location of the energy centre and the River District hot water piping system route are shown in the map below.
Energy centre
The energy centre is where steam from the Waste-to-Energy Facility will be converted to hot water. Pumps will move the hot water through underground piping to nearby communities. The energy centre and hot water pipe system will be sized to support district energy systems in other municipalities. Over time, the system is planned to expand to include areas of Burnaby and New Westminster.
In addition to its primary function, the energy centre is being designed to 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