OPAL Fuels is securing long-term access to critical methane assets by extending its landfill gas rights agreement at the Miramar Landfill in San Diego, California. This five-year extension ensures the continued conversion of landfill gas into renewable electricity, a move that stabilizes local energy supplies. The agreement reinforces a public-private partnership that has existed between the company and the City of San Diego for 28 years.
Miramar Landfill Gas Rights Extension
The five-year extension allows OPAL Fuels to continue its long-standing operations at the Miramar Landfill, a project that has been active since 1998 under the company's predecessor, Fortistar. By securing these rights, the company aims to capture methane that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere and convert it into locally produced power. During this extended period, the facility is projected to generate approximately 400,000 MWh of local renewable electricity. This output is estimated to be sufficient to power more than 6,000 U.S. homes annually. The extension effectively bridges the current operational window into the next decade, maintaining the continuity of this specific renewable energy stream for the San Diego region.
Strengthening San Diego Energy Security
Beyond municipal supply, the Miramar project serves a strategic role in regional energy resilience by supporting Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Since 2012, the facility has supplied renewable electricity to the installation, which the company says reduces reliance on the regional power grid. This localized generation is positioned as a method to strengthen the installation's energy security and operational mission. By providing power directly from landfill gas, the project attempts to relieve demand on the broader grid while utilizing existing public infrastructure. This model highlights how capturing methane—which the EPA identifies as the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the U.S.—can be leveraged to provide decentralized, reliable energy for both civilian and military stakeholders.
Key Takeaways
- OPAL Fuels extended its landfill gas rights agreement at the Miramar Landfill in San Diego for an additional five years.
- The facility is projected to generate approximately 400,000 MWh of renewable electricity over the extension period.
- The project has supplied renewable electricity to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar since 2012 to support energy security.
EnergyInsyte's Take
In our view, this extension underscores the strategic value of "brownfield" renewable assets that leverage existing municipal infrastructure. By securing rights to the Miramar Landfill, OPAL Fuels is not just capturing emissions; it is locking down a predictable, localized feedstock that serves dual-use interests: municipal stability and military energy resilience. This move suggests that for mid-scale renewable developers, the ability to integrate with critical public-private infrastructure remains a primary driver for long-term operational certainty and grid-relief capabilities.
Questions & Answers
How much renewable electricity is expected from the Miramar extension?
The facility is projected to generate approximately 400,000 MWh of local renewable electricity over the five-year extension period.
What role does the Miramar project play in military energy security?
Since 2012, the project has supplied renewable electricity to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, which the company states reduces the installation's reliance on the regional power grid.
How long has the partnership between OPAL Fuels and San Diego existed?
The partnership has been active for 28 years, with the company's predecessor, Fortistar, converting landfill gas at the site since 1998.
What is the environmental significance of the Miramar Landfill project?
The project captures methane, which the EPA identifies as the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the U.S., and converts it into electricity.
Source: Businesswire
