Spotlight on energy projects

EECA follows and shares the progress of clean and clever energy projects around New Zealand, particularly if we have contributed co-funding to the project. 

Future-proofing with renewable energy

 

Fonterra has officially opened the first electrode boiler at its Edendale site in Southland.

The Co-operative has also announced it will invest a further $70 million in two new electrode boilers as it moves away from using coal while securing renewable energy solutions to future-proof its sites.

Image from left to right: Chris Kane (Director, NZ Manufacturing), Anna Palairet (Chief Operating Officer, Fonterra), Marcos Pelenur (Chief Executive, EECA), Linda Mulvihill (General Manager Energy and Climate, Fonterra).

The two new 30MW electrode boilers will replace existing coal-fired boilers, providing renewable energy to support milk processing and future growth at the site including additional power and steam heat capacity for the new UHT plant currently being built.

While this investment doesn't yet make the Edendale site completely coal-free, it is another step away from coal marking further progress towards renewable energy use.

Chief Operating Officer Anna Palairet says the investment is a key step in strengthening operations at Edendale.

"Investing in renewable energy solutions, such as electrode boilers, will help ensure we can continue to process milk efficiently both now and in future. Securing a reliable energy supply is critical to the resilience of our operations, and this investment will help future-proof Edendale for years to come."

The Co-operative is partnering with existing site electricity supplier Meridan Energy to power the new boilers.

The investment is co-funded as part of a partnership with EECA that was announced in July 2023. Read more about the partnership.

Read more about the partnership

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