Veolia, through its Water Technologies & Solutions division, has been awarded a $34 million contract by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) to supply biogas upgrading technology for the modernization of the Southeast Treatment Plant. This essential facility, originally established in 1952 and currently undergoing a $3 billion upgrade, is transitioning into a state-of-the-art resource recovery center.
Veolia will deploy its advanced MemGas™ system to purify raw biogas generated through anaerobic digestion at the plant. This technology will upgrade the biogas into high-quality biomethane, a renewable natural gas suitable for injection into Pacific Gas & Electric’s distribution network. Upon full operation, anticipated by June 2027, the project is expected to utilize 100% of the on-site biogas production, generating enough renewable energy to meet the natural gas demands of approximately 3,800 homes, equivalent to 68 GWh annually.
Daniela Brandao, Senior Project Manager at SFPUC, commented, “This project is a key step in fulfilling our commitment to the beneficial use of biogas produced at the Southeast Treatment Plant. It supports California’s objectives for in-state renewable natural gas production and distribution and aligns with the City’s broader sustainability goals. We are enthusiastic about the positive environmental and community impact this project will deliver.”
Anne Le Guennec, Senior Executive Vice President for Worldwide Water Technologies at Veolia, stated, “This transformative project exemplifies how urban centers can develop truly circular systems, not only meeting operational needs but also generating clean, renewable energy from what was previously considered waste. SFPUC is demonstrating environmental leadership by creating a sustainable energy source within their own infrastructure, setting a powerful precedent for cities globally. This initiative is a tangible realization of our GreenUp strategy, perfectly embodying Veolia’s ecological transformation objectives through its focus on decarbonization and circular solutions. By converting waste into renewable energy, we are showcasing how our innovative technologies can drive ecological transformation for a sustainable future.”
The Southeast Treatment Plant, responsible for processing approximately 80% of San Francisco’s combined stormwater and wastewater, with an average dry weather flow of 45 million gallons per day, will incorporate advanced conditioning and separation technologies to capture and refine the biogas produced during treatment.
This initiative represents a significant advancement in sustainable infrastructure, facilitating the generation of renewable energy while achieving an estimated annual reduction of 31,000 metric tons of CO₂e in greenhouse gas emissions. It underscores the potential for operational efficiency and environmental stewardship to operate in synergy.
