Republic Services Inc. has opened a landfill gas-to-energy plant in Henrico County, Va., with the help of two other organizations.

Energy company Fortistar completed construction of a 6.4 megawatt renewable energy facility at Republic’s Old Dominion landfill in Henrico County, near Richmond. The plant is in start-up phase now and is scheduled to begin delivering power later this month.  That power will be sold to Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) under a long-term power purchase agreement, Republic said in a news release.

The project is expected to supply energy to approximately 4,500 Virginia residences. It will use four Caterpillar G3520 reciprocating engine generator sets, each rated at 1.6 megawatts, and have the support of associated landfill gas clean-up and compression equipment.

Republic operates more than 20 landfill projects with Fortistar.

“This plant represents the current best available technology for emissions controls, making it an extremely clean energy sourceand will help the state increase its renewable energy supply,” said Bill Held, senior director, renewable energy for Republic.

Said Mark Comora, president of Fortistar, "We are pleased with the strong partnership we have built during the rapid construction phase of this project and look forward to a long productive relationship producing renewable energy for the region.”