LEBANON, N.H. (WCAX) – A renewable power project in the Upper Valley that turns trash into electricity is about to go online.

The project at the Lebanon landfill includes five microturbines that will produce roughly 1 megawatt of power from the methane gas that is currently being flared off at the facility. Methane is a natural byproduct of solid waste.

A national grid study delayed the start of the construction but city officials say it’s now nearing completion.

“We have all the microturbines and other equipment in place right now, so we are just working on our aboveground conduits and we should be commissioning this before the end of the year,” said Erica Douglas of the Lebanon Solid Waste Facility.

It’s a $6 million project that city officials say will pay for itself over time with the revenue generated from sending power back to the grid.

An on-site charging station is also being built as part of the project that can be used in the event of long-term outages.

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