Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority is partnering with Waga Energy to upgrade its landfill gas into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas (RNG) in Southern New Jersey.
The Cape May County utility (CMCMUA) has selected Waga Energy, a global leader in the production of renewable natural gas (RNG) from landfills, to build, own, and operate an RNG production unit at the CMCMUA’s Secure Sanitary Landfill at the Borough of Woodbine/Township of Upper border in southern New Jersey.
The facility will use Waga Energy’s WAGABOX proprietary technology to upgrade landfill gas into RNG, which will be injected into the local pipeline under a 20-year term. Waga Energy was selected in early 2025 following a competitive request for proposals issued by the utility.
“This collaboration is a perfect fit for the CMCMUA’s Vision of actively pursuing and implementing innovative and environmentally sustainable solid waste systems,” said Joseph V. Rizzuto, executive director of the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority
The WAGABOX unit is designed to process up to 1,000 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) of landfill gas, producing about 205,000 MMBtu of RNG a year.
“We are proud to partner with the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority on our first WAGABOX project in New Jersey, an initiative leading the way in renewable energy production for the state,” said Guénaël Prince, co-founder and CEO of Waga Energy Inc. “This project will reduce local emissions, improve air quality, and support the circular economy. We look forward to partnering with the CMCMUA to bring this project to life.”
The project is expected to reduce up to 15,800 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions annually by displacing the use of fossil fuels — equivalent to avoiding the emissions associated with approximately 1.5 million gallons of diesel consumption.
The CMCMUA Secure Sanitary Landfill serves all 16 municipalities within Cape May County. While the year-round population of the county is about 98,000 residents, the popularity of the county as a vacation destination over the summer months swells the population to more than 750,000. The Landfill accepts roughly 180,000 tons of waste annually.
The landfill gas is currently utilized for power generation through a CHP engine. The RNG production will maximize the beneficial use of landfill gas generated from the degradation of waste in the landfill, while supplying renewable energy to support the decarbonization of transport.
This project has been a goal of the authority for several years and the realization of such will allow for the more efficient and long-term management of landfill gas at the CMCMUA Sanitary Landfill. Through shared benefits between the parties, revenues from the project will support the authority’s maintenance and investment in the landfill gas conveyance and collection system as the landfill continues to operate.
