The US$3.35 million energy-from-waste biofuel funding will come from the Biorefining Commercialization and Market Development Program.

The programme is designed to stimulate investment in Alberta’s bioenergy sector through the construction of ethanol, biodiesel and biogas facilities.

The funding is in addition to the US$20m financial contribution made by Enerkem’s partners in the waste-to-energy biofuel project, the City of Edmonton and Alberta Innovates – Energy and Environment Solutions.

Enerkem’s Edmonton biofuel project was announced in 2008 and received its environmental permit in 2009. The groundbreaking ceremony for the waste-to-energy project is scheduled to be held this summer.

The waste-to-energy biofuel facility could produce enough ethanol locally to fuel 400,000 cars per year, running on a 5% ethanol blend.