US utility Dominion Energy Inc (NYSE:D) and Vanguard Renewables on Wednesday unveiled a strategic partnership worth over USD 200 million (EUR 182m) to develop projects for the conversion of methane from dairy farms into renewable natural gas (RNG).
The projects will be owned by Dominion Energy, which will also market the RNG, while Vanguard Renewables will be responsible for designing, developing and operating the plants through its subsidiary Vanguard Renewables Ag. The farms where the projects will be developed are members of Dairy Farmers of America.
A number of projects are under development in Georgia, Nevada, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico, with more being planned around the country.
Together the projects are expected to help lower carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent emissions by 450,000 tonnes a year, according to the statement.
The partnership will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farms, while also providing the farms with a new source of revenue, Dominion Energy's co-chief operating officer, Diane Leopold, said.
Dominion Energy already produces RNG from methane from hog farms as part of a partnership with Smithfield Foods. Vanguard Renewables develops food and dairy waste-to-energy projects.
(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.9)
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