Fonterra’s southernmost site, Edendale, has taken a significant step in its decarbonisation journey by commissioning the Co-op's first electrode boiler.
The new boiler powered up for the first time recently, marking an important milestone in the Co-op’s work to get out of coal by 2037. Work began on the boiler in February this year, taking just nine months to complete, with over 300 contractors working to complete the build.
The new electrode boiler generates steam using electricity, cutting the Edendale site's annual overall emissions by approximately 20 percent—equivalent to 47,500 tonnes of CO2e each year, or the equivalent of removing around 20,000 cars from New Zealand's roads.
It will also contribute to a nearly three percent reduction in the Co-op’s national overall emissions from its 2018 baseline year.
“The new electrode boiler is a fantastic addition to the Edendale site and is a real game-changer for our decarbonisation efforts, significantly reducing our site’s emissions and providing a reliable source of renewable steam energy,” said General Manager Operations – Lower South Island, Andrew Johns.
“The successful build of the new boiler is a real credit to everyone involved. It's exciting for Edendale to be the first Fonterra site to have an electrode boiler, marking a significant milestone in our Co-op’s journey towards a more sustainable future.”
The electrode boiler has brought new technology to the Co-op, and the Co-op will continue to focus its efforts on getting out of fossil fuels as it looks to use various renewable energy sources to ensure sustainability and security of supply.
The Electric Boiler Project was co-funded in a previously announced EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) partnership. The partnership agreement includes the Co-op achieving approximately 1.2 million tonnes of CO2e cumulative reductions from its coal reduction activities this decade and lifting its 2030 target from 30 percent to 50 percent absolute reduction by 2030.
The Co-op is committed to reducing its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50.4 percent by 2030, using a 2018 baseline. The majority of these emissions stem from manufacturing and supply chain operations. The Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) validated these targets in July 2024.
Further details on the Co-op’s work to reduce emissions associated with manufacturing:
Hautapu boiler conversion: The conversion from coal to wood pellets is now completed, with an expected annual emissions reduction of ~12,000 tonnes—the equivalent of removing around 6,500 cars from New Zealand roads.
Stirling biomass boiler: Stirling's now completed wood biomass boiler has reduced annual carbon emissions by ~18,500 tonnes—the equivalent of removing around 7,700 cars from New Zealand roads—and is the Co-op's first site running on 100% renewable thermal energy.
Waitoa wood biomass boiler: The new boiler at Waitoa has halved coal usage, cutting emissions by at least 46,000 tonnes annually—the equivalent of removing around 20,000 cars from New Zealand roads.
Whareroa heat pumps: Installation of New Zealand’s most giant heat pumps as part of a refrigeration upgrade, decreasing carbon emissions by ~9,100 tonnes annually – the equivalent of removing around 3,800 cars off New Zealand roads.
Clandeboye heat recovery project: The new heat recovery system in the Lactose plant aims to decrease carbon emissions by ~3,000 tonnes annually, the equivalent of removing around 1,250 cars from New Zealand roads.
Te Awamutu boiler conversion: The 43MW coal boiler was converted to use wood pellets, reducing coal use and emissions by ~84,000 tonnes—the equivalent of removing around 35,000 cars from New Zealand roads.
Brightwater biomass boiler switch: Moved to co-firing wood biomass, reducing overall site CO2e emissions by ~2,400 tonnes annually – the equivalent of removing around 530 cars off New Zealand roads.
