Fonterra takes another step forward in its low carbon transition, with its Waikato site Waitoa planning to install a 30 megawatt wood biomass boiler to replace the current coal one.
The new boiler will reduce the sites annual emissions by 48,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
"This is the fourth sustainable fuel switching decarbonisation project in as many years for the Co-operative with projects including Te Awamutu and Stirling providing us with insights into the best way forward along with emissions reductions. Grouped together these projects reduce our CO2e emissions by a forecast 183,000 tonnes per annum, the equivalent of 76,000 cars off NZ roads," said Linda Mulvihill Fonterra Head of Energy and Climate.
Today Fonterra and Te Tumuaki o Te Kīngitanga and local iwi Ngāti Hauā celebrated the turning of the first sod at Waitoa. Installation on the new boiler will begin later this year, with it expected to be running in November 2023.
"Projects such as this make a significant reduction in our emissions. We saw that with our Te Awamutu conversion, which resulted in an 11 percent reduction and we’re looking forward to starting our first site on 100 percent renewable thermal energy next season at the cheese factory in Stirling, Otago."
"Wood Energy New Zealand is very proud to be involved with, and to support, Fonterra’s move across from coal to biomass at their facility in Waitoa, and growing our supply footprint into the North Island," said Nigel Ellett, Wood ENergy New Zealand Director.
"The Wood Energy New Zealand partnership, between Pioneer Energy and Niagara Sawmilling, was created to support industry and ensure quality and security of locally sourced wood fuel, removing risk to our customers and supporting their transition to a lower carbon future. Wood Energy would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Fonterra on their positive and market leading transition to a lower carbon future."
Fonterra aim to be at net zero emissions by 2050.
