Willdan wins $31M contract to turn wastewater biogas into power

Willdan has been selected for a $31 million cogeneration project that will turn biogas produced during wastewater treatment into electricity.

What happened

Encina Wastewater Authority awarded Willdan the design-and-build contract. The system will condition methane-rich biogas generated during treatment and use it as fuel for on-site power production.

The project is intended to improve energy resilience at the facility while making productive use of a gas stream that would otherwise require flaring, treatment or disposal.

The accessible announcement did not provide a complete construction timetable, expected power output or quantified emissions reduction.

Why it matters

Wastewater plants consume significant electricity but also produce energy-rich biogas. Capturing that resource can reduce grid dependence, lower operating costs and limit methane emissions when compared with uncontrolled release.

Cogeneration is particularly valuable for critical infrastructure because it can provide local power during grid disruptions.

The bigger picture

Climate infrastructure often advances through ordinary municipal and industrial projects rather than headline-grabbing consumer products. The Willdan contract shows how decarbonisation can be embedded in upgrades to existing public systems. It also illustrates the commercial role of engineering firms that combine design, construction and energy expertise, translating proven technology into operating infrastructure rather than waiting for entirely new energy systems.