A renewable energy facility in Grimsby is turning organic material into electricity and soil amendments for Niagara farms, with approval to handle substantially more material than it currently processes.

According to a Town of Grimsby announcement, Walker celebrated the official opening of West Niagara Renewables alongside municipal officials, employees and community representatives.

The facility currently processes approximately 30,000 tonnes of organic material annually. It occupies 33 acres and includes about 517,000 square feet of processing infrastructure.

The operation produces renewable electricity and nutrient-rich soil amendments used by local Niagara farms, the town said.

Approved capacity exceeds current processing

West Niagara Renewables is approved to process up to 159,000 tonnes of organic material a year — more than five times its current annual volume.

The town said that capacity positions the operation to become one of Ontario's largest anaerobic digestion facilities.

At full capacity, the facility could produce enough renewable energy to power approximately 6,000 homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 48,900 tonnes annually, according to the announcement. Those figures describe its potential at full capacity, rather than its current output.

The town also reported that the project is expected to create five to seven new jobs while supporting approximately 140 direct jobs, 84 indirect jobs and 65 induced jobs.

Niagara-based company marks opening

Walker is a Canadian-owned, fifth-generation family company headquartered in Niagara. According to the town, it has provided infrastructure and environmental services in Ontario for more than 139 years.

The company employs more than 1,200 people and recovers more than one million tonnes of resources annually. Its products include compost, renewable natural gas, renewable electricity, engineered soils, sustainable fertilizers and alternative low-carbon fuels.

Mayor Jeff Jordan, members of council, town staff, Walker employees, community leaders and guests participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Grimsby facility.

A tour followed the ceremony, giving attendees a look at the facility's organics processing and renewable energy operations.