Brookfield Renewable Invests in a Leading Agricultural Renewable Natural Gas Platform, CalBio
One of Brookfield’s operating levers for decarbonization is to utilize new, low-emitting technologies such as alternative fuel sources. Brookfield Renewable invested in one such company, CalBio, a developer, owner and operator of renewable natural gas (“RNG”) facilities. CalBio is one of the largest agricultural RNG platforms in the U.S., with approximately 50 digesters under operation, producing 3 billion cubic feet of annual production. CalBio has partnered with utility companies to advance future projects, such as gas interconnection and electricity.
CalBio generates renewable natural gas or electricity by collecting manure waste from existing dairy farm operations, which is then passed through an anaerobic digestor to create biogas. By capturing this biogas, CalBio prevents the release of this methane into the atmosphere. This results in renewable natural gas or electricity, which can be used to power trucks, buses or cars.
Demand for agricultural renewable natural gas is expected to outpace other biofuels over the next decade as corporates and utilities seek to decarbonize gas supply to meet voluntary and government-mandated net-zero targets. Manure management is one of the most promising methods currently available to decarbonize agriculture and help address global methane reduction objectives. Brookfield’s investment in CalBio supports reduced GHG emissions from the agricultural sector by abating methane released on farms and displacing fossil fuels in the transport sector. Beginning in 2026, we expect our capital will result in six million MMBtu of renewable natural gas production and 2.2 million mtCO2e of GHG emissions abated annually, the equivalent of 612 wind turbines running for one year.