BlackRock acquires organics-to-renewable energy firm Vanguard Renewables

Vanguard Renewables, an American organics-to-renewable energy developer, has been acquired from a fund managed by BlackRock Real Assets from Vision Ridge Partners for an undisclosed price.

Based in Wellesley, Massachusetts, Vanguard Renewables develops food and dairy waste-to-renewable energy projects. Founded in 2014, the company has on-farm anaerobic digester facilities, which it owns and operates in the US northeast.

Presently, Vanguard Renewables operates manure-only digesters for Dominion Energy in the south and the west US.

BlackRock Real Assets is expected to help Vanguard Renewables in commissioning over 100 anaerobic digesters to produce renewable natural gas across the US by 2026.

Mark Florian — BlackRock Real Assets Head of Diversified Infrastructure said: “We are pleased to invest in Vanguard Renewables, a leading producer of renewable natural gas from agriculture and organic food waste in the U.S., supported by long-term contracts.

“Renewable natural gas is an attractive and fast-growing market that provides decarbonization solutions for both the provider of the waste, as well as the natural gas consumer. We look forward to partnering with Vanguard Renewables’ experienced management team to support the company’s strong growth momentum.”

BlackRock Real Assets acquires organics-to-renewable energy firm Vanguard Renewables. Photo courtesy of Business Wire.

Vanguard Renewables is said to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from cow manure and food waste via a couple of distinct business lines called Vanguard Organics and Vanguard Ag.

The Farm Powered anaerobic codigestion process of Vanguard Organics is said to convert inedible beverage and food waste and dairy manure into renewable natural gas as well as liquid low-carbon fertilizer.

Vanguard Ag, on the other hand, was jointly formed with Dominion Energy in 2019 for converting manure into renewable natural gas.

Neil H. Smith — Vanguard Renewables CEO said: “Today is the beginning of an exciting next chapter for Vanguard Renewables as we scale our Farm Powered program across the nation.

“We are thankful for the steadfast support of Vision Ridge over the past eight years and look forward to our new partnership with BlackRock Real Assets, one of the world’s most forward-thinking and environmentally-focused investors, as we continue to develop solutions to protect our planet.”