Tuesday, 30 January 2024 10:55

New electrode boiler to keep coal away

Written by  Staff Reporters
Fonterra’s new electrode boiler at Edendale site will reduce emissions by around 20% or 47,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per annum. Fonterra’s new electrode boiler at Edendale site will reduce emissions by around 20% or 47,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per annum.

Fonterra is installing a $36 million 20-megawatt electrode boiler at its Edendale site in Southland, as the co-op moves away from coal.

The electrode boiler will reduce the Edendale site's emissions by around 20% or 47,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per annum - the equivalent of taking almost 20,000 cars off NZ roads.

It will also help reduce Fonterra's overall carbon emissions from its NZ 2018 baseline by nearly 3% per annum once operational in 2025-26.

Fonterra says the investment is another step for the co-operative as it works to get out of coal by 2037 and reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2030 (from 2018 baseline).

Fonterra acting chief operating officer Anna Palairet says the team considered a number of energy options before deciding on the electrode boiler.

"Fonterra has a complex manufacturing operation spanning the country.

"As technologies develop, it's important we continually assess which energy source and technology is best for each site.

"With up to 15 million litres of milk being processed at our Edendale site each day, we need to ensure we have a secure energy supply that can meet processing demands."

Cost is also an important consideration.

Palairet says getting out of coal requires significant investment and the co-op needs to choose the best option that reduces emissions and operational complexity while also doing what's best for farmer shareholders.

Fonterra is partnering with Meridian Energy for the electricity supply who generate electricity from 100% renewable resources - wind, water, and sun.

More like this

Fonterra & Silver Fern Farms Launch Beef-on-Dairy Programme

As dairy farmers lock in plans for the upcoming mating season, a partnership between Fonterra and Silver Fern Farms has been formed with the aim of making it simpler to create additional value from calves not entering the replacement herd.

Fonterra's Whareroa Wins Directors Award

Fonterra's Whareroa site took home the prestigious Directors Award at the co-op's 'Oscars of Manufacturing', while Clandeboye led the way with multiple wins at this year's Best Site Cup.

Featured

National

Machinery & Products

 

 

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Civil Circus!

OPINION: It really is getting harder to lampoon government bureaucrats when they do such a good job of it themselves.…

Ewe Zealand First

OPINION: After all the criticism that Winston Peters leveled at the India/NZ FTA, it seemed just a trifle ironic to…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter