Key Takeaways
- Vanguard Renewables has broken ground on a new anaerobic digestion facility in Litchfield, Minnesota, co-located at Wagner Dairy, a family farm operating since 1887.
- The facility will process more than 300 tons of food and beverage waste per day, producing approximately 270,000 MMBtu of renewable natural gas annually — enough to meet the energy needs of around 5,300 homes.
- RNG output will interconnect with CenterPoint Energy's distribution system, which serves approximately 950,000 customers across Minnesota.
- The project is developed through a joint venture with TotalEnergies and is expected to support 100 construction jobs and create approximately 10 permanent positions.
- With this facility, Vanguard Renewables will operate 14 facilities nationwide, with the Midwest now its largest portfolio region outside New England.
Vanguard Renewables Breaks Ground on Minnesota Anaerobic Digestion Facility
Vanguard Renewables, a U.S. environmental services company and biomethane producer, has celebrated the groundbreaking of a new anaerobic digestion facility in Litchfield, Minnesota, marking a further expansion of its Midwest operations. The facility is co-located at Wagner Dairy, a family farm that has been in continuous operation since 1887, and will convert food, beverage, and agricultural waste into pipeline-ready renewable natural gas (RNG) and nutrient-rich fertilizer.
The project will process more than 300 tons of organic waste per day, with output connected to CenterPoint Energy's distribution network serving approximately 950,000 Minnesota customers. Once operational, it is projected to produce around 270,000 MMBtu of RNG per year — sufficient to meet the energy needs of roughly 5,300 homes. The facility adds to Vanguard Renewables' growing presence in sustainable agriculture and circular energy systems across the U.S.
“We're proud to expand access to organics recycling for food and beverage companies across the Midwest while helping meet growing demand for locally produced renewable energy in Minnesota. With a strong concentration of agricultural production, food manufacturing, and energy demand, the Midwest is a natural fit for continued investment as we expand our proven platform nationwide,” said Mike O'Laughlin, CEO of Vanguard Renewables.
Farm Partnership and Closed-Loop Agricultural Model
Vanguard Renewables' model centres on co-locating anaerobic digestion infrastructure with working farms, creating shared environmental and economic value at the local level. At Wagner Dairy, the digestion process will also generate a nutrient-dense byproduct returned to surrounding farmland as a natural fertilizer, reducing dependence on synthetic inputs and lowering input costs across thousands of acres. The arrangement delivers both waste diversion and soil health benefits simultaneously.
“For our family and our farm, this project represents an investment in the future. We are proud to partner with Vanguard Renewables on a solution that improves our nutrient and manure management while creating long-term value for our operation and the surrounding community,” said Justin Wagner, Co-Owner of Wagner Dairy.
CenterPoint Energy and TotalEnergies Back the Project
The facility's RNG output will flow into CenterPoint Energy's gas distribution network. The utility described the offtake as part of its broader effort to reduce emissions for customers across Minnesota.
“At CenterPoint Energy, we're investing in Minnesota-made renewable energy to help reduce emissions and power a cleaner tomorrow for our customers and communities. By purchasing renewable natural gas from Vanguard Renewables' plant in Litchfield, we look forward to providing customers with a lower carbon fuel for their homes and businesses,” said Muss Akram, Vice President of Utility Strategy at CenterPoint Energy.
The project is also being developed through a joint venture with TotalEnergies, bringing global energy development expertise to Vanguard Renewables' domestic RNG expansion.
“This project reflects the strength of our partnership with Vanguard Renewables and our shared commitment to scaling practical, low-carbon energy solutions across the United States. Projects like this not only support farmers and local communities but also play an important role in advancing circular economy solutions and meeting the growing demand for cleaner energy,” said Marc de Lataillade, Vice President of Biogas at TotalEnergies.
Midwest RNG Opportunity and Vanguard Renewables' National Expansion
Construction is expected to support 100 jobs, with around 10 permanent positions created once the facility is operational. Vanguard Renewables estimates the Midwest holds the potential to produce up to 1,580 trillion Btu of RNG — more than eight times the size of today's entire U.S. RNG market — making it a central focus of the company's long-term growth strategy. With the Litchfield facility, Vanguard Renewables will bring its total U.S. operating footprint to 14 sites, reinforcing its position within the U.S. agtech and renewable energy landscape. The company is a portfolio company of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), part of BlackRock.
