Canada: Quebec debuts first renewable Liquid Gas pilot project

The Quebec Propane Association (AQP) announced the launch of the first renewable Liquid Gas pilot project in this Canadian province. According to the entity, this is “an important step” in the decarbonisation process of the Quebec propane industry and aims to demonstrate the energy and environmental performance of this renewable fuel.

This pilot plant is carried out thanks to a partnership with Oberon Fuel, a Quebec agricultural producer that will use this new renewable energy source for its grain drying operations.

Moreover, Filgo, a member of the AQP, is responsible for the logistics of supplying and delivering “green” propane, which will be also used by Covris Coopérative, located in Baie-du-Febvre in the Nicolet region.

The AQP explained that grain drying, essential to Quebec’s food security, requires high energy consumption concentrated over a short period during harvests. Due to the challenges and high costs associated with electrifying this sector, propane remains the energy of choice for these operations. Introducing renewable Liquid Gas into Quebec’s energy portfolio is an affordable solution to reduce CO₂ emissions while effectively meeting the energy needs of agriculture.

“For example, if all the propane used for grain drying were green, this would be equivalent to removing up to 6,000 vehicles from Quebec roads per year in terms of CO2 emissions. By reusing agricultural residues to produce energy, green propane enables the emergence of a circular economy that revalues ​​local resources,” they added. “The AQP wants to develop local and sustainable production of green propane in the province.”

The renewable Liquid Gas used in this project is composed of renewable dimethyl ether (RDME), a component produced from forest or agricultural residues, which are abundant in Quebec.

Source: Quebec Propane Association

Photo: Quebec Propane Association/Filgo

January 2025