By Dwayne Shepherd, Engineering & Project Manager at ERTH Holdings Inc.
What was once considered a waste product is now helping power Ontario's energy future. At Walker Dairy in Aylmer, Ontario, dairy manure and organic waste materials are being transformed into renewable natural gas and reliable electricity through the Walker Dairy Rural Power Resiliency Project, a first-of-its-kind achievement under the Independent Electricity System Operator's (IESO) Long-Term 1 procurement program.
The 4.99 MW renewable energy facility converts dairy manure and off-farm organic feedstocks into carbon-neutral biogas. Developed by Walker Resilient Generation Inc., in partnership with CEM Engineering and DLS Biogas, the facility produces both renewable natural gas (RNG) and dispatchable renewable electricity. The project officially achieved Commercial Operation Date (COD) on May 14, 2026.
ERTH played a key role in connecting the facility to Ontario’s electricity grid. Services provided included the supply, installation, and construction of a 27.6 kV medium-voltage dual-circuit pole line, wholesale revenue metering, medium-voltage cable terminations, substation commissioning, and ongoing engineering and troubleshooting support.
“Our experience with ERTH was very positive. They were professional in all their interactions with us and were very willing to share their extensive knowledge with us to ensure the project was successful,” said John van Logtenstein, Walker Resilient Generation Inc. “The team at ERTH went above and beyond what was expected of them throughout the project. From being flexible in the contracting approach to making it work with the project budget to stepping up to help in areas beyond what they were originally contracted for, including commissioning and troubleshooting activities. We really appreciated their openness and willingness to work collaboratively with all stakeholders.”
The project delivers significant environmental and operational benefits. By processing up to 60,000 tonnes of dairy manure and 40,000 tonnes of organic feedstocks annually, the facility captures methane emissions that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere while producing approximately 120,000 GJ of renewable natural gas each year. The resulting biogas is used to generate reliable electricity and produce renewable natural gas.
Unlike weather-dependent sources such as wind and solar, the facility provides dispatchable power that can respond to grid needs. This improves reliability in rural southwestern Ontario and supports Ontario’s broader decarbonization goals.
The Walker Dairy Rural Power Resiliency Project demonstrates how agricultural innovation, renewable energy, and utility infrastructure can work together to create a more resilient and sustainable energy future for Ontario.