Anaergia to Deliver Renewable Power Facility for East County Advanced Water Purification Project
The East County Advanced Water Purification Joint Powers Authority (JPA) has awarded Anaergia a US$31.9 million design-build contract to deliver a renewable power facility supporting one of Southern California’s most important long-term water resilience initiatives.
The facility will play a central role in the East County Advanced Water Purification (AWP) program by converting organic waste into renewable electricity through anaerobic digestion and combined heat-and-power technology. Once operational, the system is expected to supply up to 30% of the wastewater treatment plant’s total energy demand, significantly reducing operating costs while strengthening regional energy independence.
“Anaergia was the right fit for the East County AWP renewable energy project because of its proven expertise in converting biogas to electricity and heat, its focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, and its ability to provide long-term operations and maintenance,” said Kyle Swanson, CEO of Padre Dam Municipal Water District. “Their experience with similar projects ensures the system can reliably power up to 30% of the plant while supporting the program’s environmental goals.”
Anaergia has been working with the JPA since 2023, with the partnership evolving through multiple development phases into this full design-build mandate. Engineering for the renewable energy systems is nearing completion, with construction scheduled to begin in early 2026 and a two-year delivery timeline.
“This is the first project of its kind in East County that strengthens local energy independence,” said Assaf Onn, CEO of Anaergia. “By leveraging Anaergia’s proprietary digestion and biogas-to-energy technology, the facility will supply renewable power to the East County wastewater treatment plant, enabling reliable and resilient production of purified recycled water for the region.”
The broader AWP program represents over US$1 billion in total investment, funded through a mix of low-interest loans, grants, and incentives. The project is designed to deliver a drought-proof water supply, producing approximately 11.5 million gallons of purified water per day for East San Diego County, while reducing reliance on imported water and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
As part of the renewable power scope, Anaergia will install two high-efficiency engines with a combined capacity of 2 MW, along with advanced systems for biogas cleaning, conditioning, and power management. The solution builds on Anaergia’s global track record in delivering integrated energy and water infrastructure projects.
“Anaergia is proud to expand its partnership with the JPA and to support a project that strengthens energy resilience, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and delivers long-term value for East County residents,” Onn added.
Source: San Diego Business Journal, January 8, 2026
